Houston Rockets -2 @ LA Lakers
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
February 21, 2019, 7:30 PM PDT
For a bunch of reasons, we like the Rockets to cover Thursday. For one, a solid signal from our stable of computer simulation routines favors Houston. Also though, a couple of big picture betting trends likewise say back the Beard and his crew in this trip West.
We noted in a piece about betting the first NBA game after allstar break that good, road favorites have exhibited a historical edge from this spot. Away teams that made an appearance in the prior playoffs and that are laying chalk off the February break have delivered a 14% return on investment (ROI) since 2005.
The Rockets prior loss to the Wolves, from the position of four point favorites, too leads us to look for a bounce-back cover Thursday. Since 2005, quality teams (i.e. that made the last playoffs) have been good for an 8% return on investment when favored on the road after a surprise loss that ended a SU/ATS streak.
This system is 15-8-1 ATS this season.
Happy betting!!