Some big games headline Thursday\u2019s nine-game slate, but none bigger than the Lakers taking on the Rockets with playoff seeding on the line.<\/p>\n
The Lakers are in outstanding form, winning nine of their last ten games including their last six, and enter this after defeating Houston on their home floor.<\/p>\n
As for the Rockets, they haven\u2019t won back-to-back games across their last ten, but they have consistently responded after losses during that stretch.<\/p>\n
With the head-to-head record crucial heading into the postseason, expect a strong response from Houston.<\/p>\n
There were concerns around Luka a fortnight ago, but not anymore.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s gone on a tear over the last six games, averaging 37.8 points while scoring 30+ in all six.<\/p>\n
The Lakers beat the Rockets just two days ago, with Luka dropping 36. Although Houston has been a strong defensive unit for most of the season, they\u2019ve dipped slightly of late. Expect another big performance.<\/p>\n
Rebounding numbers have been consistently strong for Thompson, averaging 7.8 per game across his last 25, with an 80% strike rate at 6+.<\/p>\n
He pulled down 12 boards against the Lakers two days ago. Even with Sengun back, Thompson should still get his share on the glass.<\/p>\n
Sengun has battled injury and illness, and there are concerns around his output when Houston is at full strength.<\/p>\n
While he averages 20.2 points for the season, that drops to 16.8 across a 20-game sample when the Rockets\u2019 core group is on the floor without Adams.<\/p>\n
Since January 31, he\u2019s covered this line just once in 12 games with that combination, and has failed to clear it in his last nine.<\/p>\n
The matchup doesn\u2019t help either. The Lakers concede points to centres 15% below average over the last month, and Sengun managed just 14 against them last time.<\/p>\n