'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fixture - Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers
Date & Time - August 6th, 9 PM ET (August 7th, 6:30 AM IST)
Where - The Arena (WWOS), Orlando, Florida
The Houston Rockets and the LA Lakers are both coming off demoralizing losses to lower-seeded teams. While the Houston Rockets made it a close game for most of the duration of their encounter against the Blazers, the LA Lakers were blown out by the Thunder. The way LeBron and AD were played off the court does not augur well for their NBA championship aspirations.
Houston Rockets Preview
The Houston Rockets have played some really good defense down the stretches of all 3 games they've played so far. But the Pocket Rockets are getting mercilessly outrebounded, losing the battle of the boards by over 20 in both of their last 2 games.
It's only their ability to force turnovers and generate open looks on offense has been keeping them in games. The likes of Robert Covington, PJ Tucker and Danuel House have to be more consistent in knocking down the open looks they get. Russell Westbrook is out for this game.
Houston Rockets - Key Player
James Harden will be looking to feast on the LA Lakers' weakened guard rotation. The 2017-18 MVP for the Houston Rockets has been the best isolation player in the NBA for at least 3 seasons now, and there is little anyone can do when he gets that between-the-legs dribble going at the 3-point line.
Expect James Harden to power the Houston Rockets with a characteristic 30-point outing or more.
ALSO READ: LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction & Match Preview - August 6th, 2020
Houston Rockets Predicted Lineup
Austin Rivers, James Harden, Danuel House, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington
LA Lakers Preview
The LA Lakers may have sealed the #1 seed, but they are playing subpar for a team with championship aspirations. Their role players have not been shooting well, and neither have their MVP candidates LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
This game is an opportunity for the entire roster to get its offense going from inside the paint at first. Matching the Houston Rockets shot for shot from 3-point range is going to be tough for a roster that isn't in great shooting form, but LeBron will always find cutters reliably.
LA Lakers - Key Player
In the absence of LeBron James, the responsibility of carrying the Lakers to a moral and real W falls squarely on the shoulders of the 27-year-old. AD has blown hot and cold in the bubble so far, alternating dominant displays on the court with dismal ones.
A 30-point outing like the one he got against the LA Clippers will go a long way in taking the Lakers into playoff mode.
LA Lakers Predicted Lineup
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers - Match Prediction
The Houston Rockets have only been involved in close encounters since the NBA has restarted, and this looks set to be another of those games. The LA Lakers will be another of those teams with a heavy advantage on the interior, but the Rockets will get off about 20 more 3-pointers than their opponents.
This is likely to be a high-variance game, but Harden looks to be in better form than AD. Betting on Houston duo makes more sense. This will be a high-scoring game as well, with over 230 points likely to be scored.
Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers - Where to Watch
Viewers in the USA can find this game on national TV network TNT, while local viewers in LA and Texas will find this broadcast on local Sportsnet channels. Indian viewers will be fortunately accomodated on the Sony Six telecast, or can stream it on NBA League Pass if they so wish.
ALSO READ: Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction & Match Preview - August 6th, 2020
Guess the Lakers players!
