<p>The two teams will meet in Houston for the sixth contest, with the Lakers leading 3-2, on Saturday, May 2 (12:30 AEST).</p><p>A meeting against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals is up for grabs.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Quick Picks</h2><p><strong>Our pick: </strong>Lakers to win</p><p><strong>Value bet: </strong>Lakers in the handicap</p><p><strong>Long shot: </strong>Rui Hachimura to have first basket</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Preview</h2><p>The Houston Rockets will enter this game as the form team, having won the last two games.</p><p>However, they’ve done so when their backs have been up against the wall, after the Lakers took a 3-0 lead.</p><p>That included a victory in Game 3 in Houston, albeit in a tight contest that required the Purple &amp; Gold to be at their very best.</p><p>Still, with the offence and star power that they boast, they’ll be a threat when heading into Game 6, even without Luka Doncic.</p><p>Let’s take a look at how the series has gone so far to try and identify potential betting value below:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Game 1: Lakers won 107-98 in Los Angeles</li><li>Game 2: Lakers won 101-94 in Los Angeles</li><li>Game 3: Lakers won 112-108 in Houston</li><li>Game 4: Rockets won 115-96 in Houston</li><li>Game 5: Rockets won 99-93 in Los Angeles</li></ul><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Betting Markets to Watch</h2><p>With the betting odds having the <strong>Lakers as underdogs</strong>, we think there’s potential <strong>value to be had in the Purple and Gold to win</strong>.</p><p>The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs, while they already boast a win in Houston in this NBA Playoff series.</p><p>The <strong>Lakers’ handicap (+3.5)</strong> offers value in this game, as the Rockets have failed to cover the line in each of their last five home games after winning as underdogs.</p><p>Even if the Lakers are forced into a Game 7, there’s a good chance that they’ll cover the spread in this one.</p><p>Another market that offers value is the <strong>‘1st Half Winner’</strong>, with the <strong>Lakers starting faster than Houston</strong>. The underdogs have won the first half in six of the Rockets' last seven playoff games.</p><p><strong>Rui Hachimura</strong> has scored 12+ points in each of the Lakers' last 10 games, meaning he offers value to <strong>have 10+ points</strong> in this game.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Our Prediction</h2><p>Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba/los-angeles-lakers-at-houston-rockets-10419803">NBA Rockets vs Lakers betting odds</a> at Sportsbet.</p><p>We think the<strong> Lakers offer value as underdogs to win the game</strong> and will likely do so.</p><p>They’ve won in Houston already, and with all the pressure on the Rockets to win, they could look to exploit that.</p><p>Rui Hachimura’s scoring exploits offer a long shot opportunity.</p><p>We think there’s value in him scoring the <strong>first basket</strong>, as he has scored the first basket in three of the Lakers' last four playoff road games.</p>