It’s always a tricky spot when a West coast team returns home in their first game back from an East coast road trip. Los Angeles after botching a potential win against the Chicago Bulls, regrouped for a solid road win at Memphis. They’ll face a Houston team that’s in a back to back spot, and I expect to be the aggressor after a slow first quarter in their prior matchup against the Rockets. Take the Lakers to cover the short number.

DraftKings. Amen Thompson has cleared this line in 11 of his last 16 games, including 3/4 back from his ankle injury. Tonight against the Lakers should be another strong opportunity for him to rack up the counting stats - Los Angeles is allowing thw eighth most points in transition (Thompson’s preferred playtype), and the ninth most assists. After only playing 25 minutes in a massive blowout last night, I like Thompson to see his normal workload in a big matchup.

The Rockets have leaned under in the back end of back-to-backs but the Lakers' defense has collapsed and their lack of a big man will be an issue here and LA knows it has to run-and-run to win shootouts. The Lakers are over in 9 of their last 12 and those games averaged 233 points. Four of their last 5 games have gone over 235 points. The Rockets are 10-5 over as a road dog. Houston has been a top 10 scoring team over the last 10 games and while their D has improved playing against a desperate opponent on the road is going to be a challenge. Lakers games are more often than not a race to 120 points these days.