Lakers Look To Rebound With Win At Houston Tuesday

Pau Gasol has struggled for the Lakers since Mike D’Antoni took over as head coach.

Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 12/4/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: LA -1, O/U 214
(click for latest NBA odds)
Television: Local Networks

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers (8-9 straight-up, 7-10 against the spread) have been the most disappointing team in the NBA early on this season. They have already had three coaches (one interim), with Mike D’Antoni making his debut seven games ago. Los Angeles is just 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS over that span, including a horrible 113-103 home loss to Orlando on Sunday as big 13-point favorites. The team needs to stay afloat while point guard Steve Nash (shin) is still out. Darius Morris is starting at the point with Steve Blake (abdominal) also injured. Power forward Pau Gasol (10.1 points per game on 38.8 percent field goal shooting since D’Antoni took over) needs to get integrated into the offense and avoid Kobe Bryant’s wrath, as the 7-foot Spaniard was just publicly criticized by the team's star player. However, Gasol is not expected to play due to a knee injury (click to check updated NBA injury report). The Lakers have played just five road games this year, going 1-4 SU and ATS.

Houston Rockets: The Rockets (8-8 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) are dealing with their own coaching issue as Kevin McHale is on a leave of absence due to the death of his daughter. Houston did struggle initially under interim coach Kelvin Sampson but has gone 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five after a 124-116 home win over Utah on Saturday as 6 ½-point favorites. The "over" is 4-0 in Houston’s last four games, averaging 117.5 ppg. All five starters are scoring in double-digits for the season, and seven of the team's players reached that mark last game. New addition James Harden (24.1 ppg) is fifth in the league in scoring after coming over from Oklahoma City. These teams last met on Nov. 18 in Los Angeles, with the Lakers winning 119-108 as 7-point favorites. Los Angeles is 1-5 ATS in the last six games between the teams in Houston, and the "over" is 8-0 in the last eight meetings overall.

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