Lakers vs Rockets Game 4 Odds and Picks

• The Los Angeles Lakers lead the Houston Rockets 2-1 following Tuesday night’s win
• Thursday’s Game 4 is a decisive game in this series – the Rockets cannot afford to fall 3-1 down
• Get the latest odds, betting discussion and a Game 4 pick below

Two wins on the bounce have put the Los Angeles Lakers in control of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Houston Rockets. Houston needs to win three of the four remaining games to progress to the Western Conference Finals.

Game 4 tips off on Thursday with the Lakers two wins away from their first Conference Finals appearance since 2010. This is already their deepest playoff run since 2012, when they fell in the semifinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder – who were also led by James Harden and Russell Westbrook (and Kevin Durant).

The latest Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets odds have LeBron James and co. as 5-point favorites.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Game 4 Odds

Odds taken September 9th

Lakers Step Up Defense

Once again, the Lakers found another gear in the fourth quarter. The teams were tied when they entered the final 12 minutes, but the Lakers quickly pulled away, producing an intensity on the defensive end that has not always been present in this series.

Harden went one-for-four in the fourth, turning the ball over once and producing a solitary assist. Westbrook was the offensive driving force, scoring 11 points, but the Rockets’ two stars were unable to generate good shots for their teammates.

P.J. Tucker, Robert Covington and Eric Gordon were a combined nothing-for-two. Jeff Green hit a couple of shots. The Lakers locked down on the defensive end, their combination of size and mobility closing off driving lanes for Westbrook and Harden. Anthony Davis played at the five – his presence alone made the Rockets hesitant to attack and LeBron James loomed with four blocks on the night.

“At the end of the day, we just hope we make [Kobe] and his family proud.” – @KingJames 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/cpQaVjbc3I

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 9, 2020

Both the Lakers’ wins have come through big fourth quarters. They have locked in on the defensive end and Houston’s offense has stagnated, the lack of off-ball movement making it too easy for the Lakers to defend.

Playoff Rondo Emerges

Rajon Rondo has been a figure of mockery this season. The numbers have not loved him, and largely playing in non-LeBron minutes, he has been carrying a burden likely too great. Playoff Rondo has been a thing throughout his career though, and we are getting another sighting of it in this series.

Rondo is averaging 7.3 assists per contest, the best mark on either team. He’s shooting 40% from three, and using his elite vision to disrupt the game on the defensive end. Though not as nimble as he once was, the former Celtic can still be a pest when he cranks the effort level up. It’s not an overstatement to say his five steals in Game 3 were potentially series defining.

Lakers fans every time Rondo shoot pic.twitter.com/GHkUHod4KH

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 9, 2020

Forcing turnovers allows the Lakers to get out in transition, where they were unstoppable in the regular season. Any steal is a big swing, but they are particularly important in this series with the offensive firepower Houston possess.

Series Sliding to LA

The greatest question of this Lakers team was who will step up as their third-best player. Rondo, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have all taken their turns to answer that question so far in this post-season.

Getting smart, hustling defense and a bit of scoring alongside Davis and James makes this Lakers team very hard to beat.

“Stand and watch,” does have its limitations https://t.co/yRpDn7Um21

— Josh Eberley🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) September 9, 2020

It’s a bad sign for Houston that they shot over 40% as a team from deep and lost Game 3. There was a sense the series was slipping away from them on Tuesday.

Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -5 (-110)