Free Pick | NBA | Thursday | Dec. 25

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#592 LA Lakers +3.5 over Houston Rockets 7:10 PM CT

The Lakers are 7-1 ATS off a S/U loss this season with that one miss coming while shorthanded Tuesday night in Phoenix. Los Angeles is 8-5 ATS as an underdog this season and the 19-9 Lakers have a good chance to have a more complete roster for Thursday’s showcase game with the Rockets. Houston is just 8-17 S/U in the past 25 games against the Lakers, including losing S/U and ATS in both road meetings last season. The Rockets looked like serious contenders early this season, but the Rockets have slipped to 17-10 with losses in four of five games on this difficult road trip. Three losses in that stretch have been overtime games as it has been a taxing late December for Houston. The Rockets are now 1-6 S/U and ATS in the team’s seven December road games, yet Houston has been favored in all those games and will be a slight favorite Thursday. Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura sat out on Tuesday but seemingly will do everything possible to try to suit up for this game. Houston has a losing record vs. top 10 caliber teams this season and over the past 10 games the Lakers have elite offensive efficiency with the fourth best rating in the NBA. The defense for the Lakers has slipped in recent weeks but the injuries have been a factor while also enduring a grueling road heavy schedule in the past two weeks that has taken a toll. Look for a strong effort in the spotlight from Los Angeles Thursday night with key players rested while looking to avoid a three-game slide.