Through 3 Quarters

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets have kept the scorekeepers busy with 191 between them three quarters in. Los Angeles has emerged as the frontrunner and is ahead of Houston 99-92.

The Lakers have been relying on small forward LeBron James, who has 20 points and eight assists along with five boards, and shooting guard Malik Monk, who has 21 points in addition to two blocks. One thing to keep an eye out for is Talen Horton-Tucker's foul situation as he currently sits at four.

Houston has been led by power forward Christian Wood, who so far has 21 points along with six rebounds.

Houston has lost 91% of the time when they were down heading into the fourth quarter this season, so this one seems just about wrapped up

Who's Playing

Los Angeles @ Houston

Current Records: Los Angeles 16-18; Houston 10-24

What to Know

The Houston Rockets have been on the wrong side of a one-way rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers and are hoping to record their first win since Sept. 4 of last year. Houston is getting right back to it as they host Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET Dec. 28 at Toyota Center. Given that both teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

On Monday, the Rockets got maybe a little too into the holiday spirit, gifting the Charlotte Hornets an easy 123-99 victory. Houston was down 96-70 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from. The top scorers for Houston were shooting guard Trevelin Queen (17 points), power forward Christian Wood (16 points), and shooting guard Eric Gordon (16 points).

Meanwhile, Los Angeles came up short against the Brooklyn Nets this past Saturday, falling 122-115. Small forward LeBron James put forth a good effort for the losing side as he had 39 points and seven assists along with nine rebounds. LBJ's night made it four games in a row in which he has scored at least 31 points.

The Rockets are expected to lose this next one by 6. They have failed bettors playing the spread in their past four games, so buyers beware.

Houston is now 10-24 while the Lakers sit at 16-18. Houston is 4-19 after losses this year, Los Angeles 9-8.

How To Watch

  • When: Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET
  • Where: Toyota Center -- Houston, Texas
  • TV: ATTSN Southwest
  • Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $118.00

Odds

The Lakers are a solid 6-point favorite against the Rockets, according to the latest NBA odds.

The line has drifted a bit towards the Lakers, as the game opened with the Lakers as a 4.5-point favorite.

Over/Under: -110

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Series History

Houston have won 15 out of their last 28 games against Los Angeles.

  • Nov 02, 2021 - Los Angeles 119 vs. Houston 117
  • Oct 31, 2021 - Los Angeles 95 vs. Houston 85
  • May 12, 2021 - Los Angeles 124 vs. Houston 122
  • Jan 12, 2021 - Los Angeles 117 vs. Houston 100
  • Jan 10, 2021 - Los Angeles 120 vs. Houston 102
  • Sep 12, 2020 - Los Angeles 119 vs. Houston 96
  • Sep 10, 2020 - Los Angeles 110 vs. Houston 100
  • Sep 08, 2020 - Los Angeles 112 vs. Houston 102
  • Sep 06, 2020 - Los Angeles 117 vs. Houston 109
  • Sep 04, 2020 - Houston 112 vs. Los Angeles 97
  • Aug 06, 2020 - Houston 113 vs. Los Angeles 97
  • Feb 06, 2020 - Houston 121 vs. Los Angeles 111
  • Jan 18, 2020 - Los Angeles 124 vs. Houston 115
  • Feb 21, 2019 - Los Angeles 111 vs. Houston 106
  • Jan 19, 2019 - Houston 138 vs. Los Angeles 134
  • Dec 13, 2018 - Houston 126 vs. Los Angeles 111
  • Oct 20, 2018 - Houston 124 vs. Los Angeles 115
  • Apr 10, 2018 - Houston 105 vs. Los Angeles 99
  • Dec 31, 2017 - Houston 148 vs. Los Angeles 142
  • Dec 20, 2017 - Los Angeles 122 vs. Houston 116
  • Dec 03, 2017 - Houston 118 vs. Los Angeles 95
  • Mar 15, 2017 - Houston 139 vs. Los Angeles 100
  • Dec 07, 2016 - Houston 134 vs. Los Angeles 95
  • Oct 26, 2016 - Los Angeles 120 vs. Houston 114
  • Apr 10, 2016 - Houston 130 vs. Los Angeles 110
  • Jan 17, 2016 - Houston 112 vs. Los Angeles 95
  • Dec 17, 2015 - Houston 107 vs. Los Angeles 87
  • Dec 12, 2015 - Houston 126 vs. Los Angeles 97

Injury Report for Houston

  • Jae'Sean Tate: Out (Covid-19)
  • Kenyon Martin Jr.: Out (Covid-19)
  • D.J. Augustin: Out (Covid-19)
  • Garrison Mathews: Out (Covid-19)
  • John Wall: Out (Not Injury Related)

Injury Report for Los Angeles

  • LeBron James: Game-Time Decision (Abdomen)
  • Kent Bazemore: Out (Covid-19)
  • Austin Reaves: Out (Covid-19)
  • Trevor Ariza: Out (Covid-19)
  • Wayne Ellington: Out (Illness)
  • Kendrick Nunn: Out (Knee)
  • Rajon Rondo: Out (Covid-19)
  • Anthony Davis: Out (Knee)