A top four showdown in the Western Conference unfolds when the Los Angeles Lakers (43-25) head east to take on the Houston Rockets (41-26).
Los Angeles is surging, having won nine of the past 10 contests. Their lone loss in March was at Denver. That streak includes a win on Monday against the Rockets, securing a 100-92 victory over Houston.
The Rockets are headed in the opposite direction, going just 5-5 in the past 10 games. Those losses have come to Western Conference foes, dropping Houston below Los Angeles for third place.
Can Houston avenge Monday’s loss and keep pace with the Lakers? We’ll cover that and provide bettors with our top three player props for Wednesday’s NBA contest.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic OVER 30.5 Points
The leading NBA scorer returns to action on Wednesday. Guard Luka Doncic has been filling the stat sheet over the past six games, scoring at least 31 points in each of those contests.
That includes Monday’s 36-point outburst against the Rockets, going 14-of-27 from the field. There’s little reason to expect Wednesday will be different. Take Doncic to cover this scoring prop line wager.
Houston Rockets’ Alperen Sengun OVER 7.5 Rebounds
After averaging a double-double last season, Houston center Alperen Sengun has slowed this season. The 6-foot-11 athlete is averaging 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists as he’s playing a career-high 33.4 minutes per game.
Sengun’s rebounding has suffered as a result. He’s recorded eight or more rebounds just three times since the NBA All Star break last month. The center also has missed multiple games since playing at Denver last week.
Will the rest help Sengun improve his rebounding against the Lakers? The answer is yes. The center finished with a dozen rebounds in the only meeting Sengun has played against Los Angeles this season. Take him to finish with a double-double on Wednesday, covering this prop line.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James UNDER 29.5 Pts + Reb + Ast
In his 23rd season, LeBron James continues to impress. The 41-year-old is scoring 21.2 points per game, nabbing 5.7 rebounds, and handing out 6.9 assists per game for Los Angeles this season.
On Monday, James finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists to just miss this combined prop line. He finished with more than 28 combined points, rebounds, and assists just three times in March. Expect him to miss it yet again on Wednesday.
| Wednesday, October 21 at 8:40 PM | Spread | Money | Total |
| Dallas Mavericks |  +8.5 (-118) |  +255 | O 227.5 (-105) |
| Houston Rockets |  -8.5 (-105) | -300 | U 226.5 (-109) |
Best Bet: Los Angeles (+2)
Los Angeles enjoyed a long home stretch before taking the road on Monday, winning five straight games before upending Houston in a close contest. That’s why oddsmakers have the Lakers as two-point underdogs heading into Wednesday’s game.
It’s a curious decision by sportsbooks because Houston lost on Monday. That’s why bettors should take the road team to run it back in back-to-back games, securing their 44th win of the season.
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