The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers will run it back just a couple of days after they faced each other.
The two teams played on Tuesday, and now they'll face each other once again on Thursday, March 19, at 12:30 AEDT.
The two teams are evenly matched in the Western Conference, with very little separating either of them before this doubleheader.
Quick Picks
Our pick: Rockets to win
Value bet: KD to have 25+ points
Long shot: Rockets to win by 1-10 points in the Big Win Little Win
Betting Preview
We've looked at the game before Tuesday's match, basing all of our predictions and views on how the two teams have been during the NBA regular season and how meetings have gone between them in the past.
As noted, there is very little separating them. Before their first game, the Lakers held a 0.5 game advantage over the Rockets, but both have qualified for the postseason. Now, they'll be battling it out for the higher seed ranking as they look towards the NBA playoffs.
Both teams have managed 40+ victories this season, but it's the Lakers that head into this doubleheader in the better form. They have been on a five-game winning streak and are 8-2 over their last 10. The Rockets are 6-4 over their last 10 matches, having recently returned to winning ways.
Houston have a very strong record at home, going 23-8 for the year. The Lakers are 19-13 for the season on the road. Against fellow Conference teams, the Lakers are 28-16, while the Rockets are 23-19.
Betting Markets to Watch
When it comes to looking for value in this match, we think that there will be value in the handicap market. The Rockets had won the match against the Lakers earlier in the year, when both were in a similar run of form. That game ended 119-96.
As a result, we think that there will be value in the Lakers to cover the handicap spread. They have improved since that game and will have their top players available once again. Given that they've been strong recently and on the road, there's value here.
Elsewhere, we're looking at the player prop market for this game, especially as there are many top-quality players on show. If you're new to how to bet on the NBA, player props are a great place to start.
KD is one who has value worth exploring, as he has been a little up and down over the last few games. However, over his last 10 games against the Lakers, he has averaged 27.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For this reason, we think there's value in him to have 25+ points.
Our Prediction
Check the latest NBA betting odds at Sportsbet.
We do think that the Rockets will be the likely winners of this game. However, we think it's likely that the Lakers are able to keep it tight, hence covering the handicap spread that is set.
Of the last 10 games, five have finished by a point differential of 10 points or fewer. With both teams playing well, we think this is likely in this game, but it's our long shot.
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