NBA Betting: Lakers, Rockets Spar In L.A.

A pair of Western Conference division leaders tip off Thursday night when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers will head into Thursday night 4-2 straight up and 3-3 against the spread in their last six following a 129-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night as 10.5-point favorites at Bovada Sportsbook. At home, Los Angeles is 7-2 SU in its last nine but only 4-4-1 ATS. The Lakers have been money as an OVER pick for totals bettors at 10-2 OVER in their last 12.

Houston has won three straight at 2-1 ATS and is 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS in the last eight. On the road, the Rockets have been a bad bet lately at 2-7 ATS in their last nine.

In the lone matchup between the Lakers and Rockets this season, Los Angeles won 124-115 as a 3.5-point favorite on January 18. The Lakers have won three straight ATS against Houston and they’re 5-2 ATS in their last seven matchups.

Sixers take woeful road record into Milwaukee

In the Eastern Conference on Thursday night, the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks are at home to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Milwaukee continues to dominate with an 11-1 SU record in its last 12 and a 7-5 ATS mark. At home, the Bucks are 10-1 SU and 6-5 ATS in their last 11.

Philadelphia has lost three in a row SU and four straight ATS. The 76ers are also 2-6 ATS in their last eight. On the road, the Sixers have been dreadful with four straight losses SU and ATS, and a 2-10 record SU and ATS in their last 12.

On Christmas Day, the 76ers upset the Bucks 121-109 as a 3-point home underdog. At home to Philadelphia, the Bucks are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four and 10-3 SU and 8-5 ATS in their last 13.

Trail Blazers, Spurs fighting for playoff lives

Also on the Thursday night schedule, two teams fighting for a playoff spot meet when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Spurs are a lackluster 2-5 SU and 4-3 ATS in their last seven. On the road, they’ve dropped three straight at 2-1 ATS. However, they’re 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.

Portland had a four-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped last time out in a 127-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets as 4.5-point underdogs. At home, Portland has won three in a row SU and ATS but is 3-7 ATS in the last 10.

The Spurs and Trail Blazers have split the season series so far with a win apiece SU, while Portland is 2-0 ATS. At home to San Antonio, the Trail Blazers are 7-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10.