Hoop it up

mickey · #1 01-05-2010, 05:00 PM

Houston at Lakers

Houston has had a full 2 days of rest for tonight’s game. And that rest is huge for the Rockets because they recently wrapped-up a brutal December schedule that had them playing five back-to-back sets during the month. Now with that behind them, the Rockets can finally get some much needed rest and practice time to shore up their defense that allowed 100 points or more in four of those five back-to-back games. The Rockets match-up well with the Lakers defensively; they held Los Angeles to just 91 and 92 points in regulation time this season. And Houston is catching the Lakers shorthanded tonight as Pau Gasol is doubtful, Lamar Odem missed practice with a stomach bug, Luke Walton has a pinched nerve, and Ron Artest is still doubtful with a concussion. That’s a lot of offensive firepower missing for the Lakers, and there’s no way they can win tonight if they play at a fast pace. This game will be played in the half-court which means we’ll see a low-scoring game tonight.

Under the total: 200.5 (Best Bet)

-4.5 over Washington