NBA 2020 Playoffs Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2: Predictions, picks and bets

The Los Angeles Lakers once again go into Game 2 of a playoff series down 1-0. The Houston Rockets will be hoping to do something that the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t in the first round: claim a 2-0 lead.

The Rockets only just scraped past the Thunder in their first-round playoff series, but their small-ball lineup caught the Lakers off guard.

Can Houston continue to throw off LA, or will Frank Vogel make the necessary adjustments to level the series? Bet Hub predicted outcome 👇

Dimers' predictions are based on 10,000 simulations of this particular matchup

Dimers' Suggested Plays
🔥BEST: Lakers ML (-220*)
💪Spread: Rockets +5.5 (-110*)
👇Over/Under: u224 Total Points (-110*)
🚨 Best online sportsbooks here

BEST
Moneyline: Lakers (-220*) has a 68% probability

The Lakers were comprehensively beaten in Game 1 in a similar fashion to their shock loss to the Blazers in the first game of their first-round series. The Lakers rely heavily on their role players to contribute, and poor shooting from 3 (29% in Game 1) lead to their downfall.

Our model is tipping the role players to bounce for Los Angeles in this one, but it will be dependent on the likes of Caldwell-Pope, Green, and Kuzma to punish the Rockets from the perimeter. Take the Lakers at the Moneyline.

Spread
Rockets +5.5 (-110*) has a 52% probability

While we’re expecting the Lakers to level it up, we’ll take the Rockets at the 5.5-point head start. Look for this one to go right down to the wire. It might even be decided in the last minute.

Over/Under
u224 Total Points (-110*) has a 51% probability

Uncharacteristically, the under has prevailed in each of Houston’s last four games. We all know the Rockets for their frenetic shoot-at-all-costs style of play, but playoff basketball will lock up even the fastest offenses as nerves start to play a part.

The Lakers will love the slower pace just fine. Our predictive analysis sees the Under as being the safe bet here.

Dimers' take-out

As the Lakers stare down the barrel of yet another series deficit, the sense of urgency begins to rise. Look for Los Angeles to get back on even terms here, but don’t be surprised to see this one becoming a see-sawing battle. Don't know where to place a wager for the big game? Check out our list of the best online sportsbooks here.

*odds are correct at time of publishing