Rockets vs Lakers odds - Kobe Bryant will be unstoppable
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Now that the first round has been completed, the NBA betting odds for Rockets vs Lakers are posted as one of the four NBA second round series. The Lakers are heavily favored to advance, as online sports betting sharps know they are a Championship contender and the favorite in the West, while the Rockets are merely happy to finally be past the first round.
Rockets vs Lakers Odds: Lakers -1200
- Lakers depth will carry them
- Lakers dominated the Rockets in the regular season
- Rockets lack scoring to keep up with the Lakers
The Rockets odds to win in the second round are fairly long, and not many people are giving them a chance. While some people feel that the press, public and picks are one-sided, the reality is that is fairly deserved. The Rockets and Lakers squared off four times in the regular season with the Lakers winning all four times winning by an average of 13 points per game. The scary part is that the Rockets couldn’t even win on their home floor, so why should anyone consider them when it comes to basketball betting?
The Lakers will see a different version of the Rockets in the playoffs, as the one they are used to styling on is the one with Tracy McGrady. The Rockets have been more cohesive without McGrady, but they might have a problem on the offensive end.
The Rockets defense is tough, which is the only reason to buy into the sportsbook Rockets odds in this series, but it might not be tough enough. Ron Artest and Shane Battier are two of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, but neither was able to slow down Brandon Roy consistently in round one, which means neither will be able to control Kobe Bryant in round two. The Rockets vs Lakers odds are contingent on that, though, or this series won’t even last very long.
The Rockets don’t have enough consistent points from anywhere on the floor to really match up to 100 points per game with the Lakers, which means if their defense fails, so will the team. Yao Ming is a good center but he’ll get matched up with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, which should keep him busy. While Rockets do get some points from their backcourt players like Artest and Aaron Brooks, they will need a consistent 20 per game from both.
The Rockets vs Lakers odds have the Lakers as a 12-to-1 favorite and a large reason for that is because of their depth. While the Rockets don’t even have the starters to match player-for-player, their bench is much weaker as well. Part of the reason why the Lakers odds for the Championship are so good is because they can bring guys like Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic off the bench. The Rockets just don’t have the talent to match.
Craig Parsons’ Pick: Bet on the Lakers to advance in five games. They have their eye on the prize while the Rockets are just happy to be in the second round.
For more news on sports betting or analysis in the Rockets vs Lakers odds, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.
Craig Parsons is an avid sports fan, but his true love has always been basketball. Too short to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, he did the next best thing: sports betting and covering basketball for a living. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
