The Houston Rockets will try to even up the series as they visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena for Game 2 on Tuesday night. Los Angeles coasted in Game 1, pulling away for a 107-98 victory on Saturday behind a breakout performance from Luke Kennard and a vintage all-around effort from LeBron James.
Kennard was the star of the night, erupting for 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including a scorching 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, providing the kind of secondary scoring the Lakers desperately need with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both sidelined. James filled up the stat sheet with 19 points, 8 rebounds and a game-high 13 assists, orchestrating the Lakers’ offense as the primary playmaker in the absence of his two co-stars. Deandre Ayton anchored the paint with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Marcus Smart added 15 points and 8 assists in the Game 1 win.
Houston’s young core showed flashes, but couldn’t overcome the absence of Kevin Durant, who was a late scratch with a right knee contusion. Amen Thompson led the way with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 43 minutes, while Alperen Sengun posted 19 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. chipped in 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Tari Eason provided a spark off the bench with a double-double of his own, but the Rockets shot just 37.6% from the field and 33.3% from three as a team.
The biggest storyline heading into Game 2 is Durant’s availability. He’s listed as a game-time decision with the same right knee issue that kept him out of Game 1. If he suits up, it would be a major boost for a Houston team that managed just 98 points without its leading scorer. If he sits again, the Rockets will need even more from Thompson, Sengun and their bench to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole before the series shifts to Houston for Games 3 and 4.
Below is a look at the latest odds, betting splits and top player props at Hard Rock Bet ahead of tonight’s tip-off.
Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2 Info
- đź“Ť Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- đź“… Date: Tuesday, April 21
- ⏰ Tip-Off: 10:30 PM ET
- đź“ş TV/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
- 🏀 Series: LAL leads 1-0
Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2 Odds
Similar to Game 1, Hard Rock Bet has the Rockets listed as 4.5-point road favorites as they await Kevin Durant’s status:
- Moneyline: Rockets (-200), Lakers (+165)
- Spread: Rockets -4.5 (-120), Lakers +4.5 (+100)
- Total: Over 206.5 (-115), Under 206.5 (-105)
Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2 Betting Splits
Betting action at Hard Rock Bet is split in some interesting ways heading into Game 2:
- Moneyline: Tickets are essentially split down the middle at 50/50, however, the Lakers are drawing 57% of the moneyline handle.
- Spread: The Lakers are attracting 54% of all spread bets, but 67% of the handle is on the Rockets to cover.
- Total: This is the most lopsided market of the night. A staggering 87% of bets and 86% of the handle are on the Over 206.5, despite Durant’s injury designation and Game 1 finishing with a combined 205 points.
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for HOU-LAL
The player prop market for Game 2 is heavily influenced by what happened in Game 1 – and, of course, Durant’s uncertain status. Here are the five most-bet player props by ticket count at Hard Rock Bet:
- Kevin Durant – Under 4.5 Assists
- LeBron James – Under 9.5 Assists
- Rui Hachimura – Under 3.5 Rebounds
- Amen Thompson – Under 7.5 Rebounds
- Luke Kennard – Under 7.5 Assists + Rebounds
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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