- The Rockets are favored by nine points at home despite losing each of the first two games to the Lakers and Austin Reaves potentially making his return to the lineup.
- Kevin Durant is dealing with an ankle sprain after returning from a bruised knee.
- Durant’s points line is set at 23.5, which he has gone under in his last three games against the Lakers.
HOUSTON – Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets series is set to tip off at 8 PM EST Friday night in a pivotal game for the Rockets if they want to keep their season alive.
Lakers vs Rockets Game 3 Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakers | +9.0 (-120) | +265 | O 207.5 (-110) |
| Rockets | -9.0 (EVEN) | -330 | U 207.5 (-110) |
Legal sports betting sites have the Rockets as nine point favorites in Game 3 despite trailing 2-0 after the first two games of the series. The availability of Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves could dramatically swing the odds, so bettors should keep a close eye on any updates.
Durant is questionable with an ankle sprain he picked up in Game 2 after returning from a knee issue that he had been dealing with. Despite both of these injuries, he managed to log 41 minutes in his return, so it is seemingly not too big of a deal.
Austin Reaves is listed as questionable for the first time since injuring his oblique on April 2nd and would be a huge boost for the Lakers if he is able to suit up, averaging 23.3 points per game during the regular season.
Los Angeles Lakers To Cover +9.0 Spread (-120)
This line is a bit confusing as Houston has shown little signs of life so far in the postseason, but can be attributed to their success at home during the regular season, where they went 30-11 for the fifth best home record in the league.
However, the Lakers were the sixth best team on the road this season, going 25-16. Additionally, the Lakers won both games played at Houston during the regular season, granted Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both in the lineup.
The line is simply too long not to bet on LA at California sports betting sites to cover after winning each of the first two games of the series.
Kevin Durant To Score Under 23.5 Points (-105)
The Lakers’ gameplan has been clear through their past three games against the Rockets; stop Kevin Durant at all costs. In their Christmas day meeting, Durant scored 25 points while shooting 8-14 from the field, 4-6 from the three point line, and 5-5 on free throws.
In the three games against the Lakers since then, he’s averaged 19.7 points per game on over 50% shooting from the field, but has attempted just 13 shots per game. The key to limiting his success has been running him off the three point line, as he attempted just 12 three pointers over that three game span and made only three. Bettors can supplement this bet with Durant to record under 1.5 threes (+185) or 2.5 threes (-160) at Texas sportsbooks.
