Houston @ Los Angeles Picks & Predictions

Reed Sheppard has successfully made 35.2% of his shot attempts from the field this year, putting him in the 10th percentile out of all players in the NBA. Out of all players in the league, Reed Sheppard ranks in the 24th percentile for playing time, totaling a measly 12.3 minutes per game when playing on the road this year. In terms of shots from downtown, the Houston Rockets's feeble 12.3 made threes per game away from their home court comes in as the 8th-weakest in the NBA this year. The Houston Rockets have played at the 9th-least up-tempo pace in the league over the last 15 games while on the road. The Rockets are expected to suffer a reduction in opportunities today from being pitted against the 3rd-most lethargic pace-of-play team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Los Angeles Lakers).

Rui Hachimura has converted 2.4 shots from behind the three-point arc per game over the last 5 games, 0.7 higher than he's made overall this year. Relative to last season's 26.9 clip, Rui Hachimura's playing time has surged this season to 31.5 minutes per game. The Lakers have been the 8th-highest scoring offense in the NBA over the last 5 games. Rui Hachimura has successfully made 91.7% of his free throw attempts over the last 5 games, 16.8% more than he's sunk over the course of the season. This year, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 5.4 free throws per game (2nd-most in the league) against the Rockets, easily managing to get to the foul line.

Jock Landale has put up 2.0 offensive boards per game over the last 5 games, 0.7 higher than he's put up overall this year. Offensive rebounds save possession and produce bonus opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Rockets grade out best in in the league with 14.7 offensive boards per game this year.

Cam Whitmore has sunk 55.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc over the last 5 games, 24.8% more than he's made from downtown over the course of the year. Cam Whitmore has been called for 0.9 personal fouls per game while on the road this year, placing him in the 19th percentile -- among the NBA's least foul-prone. This year, the opposing team's starting SFs have totaled 5.8 three attempts per game (most in the NBA) vs. the Lakers, creating a favorable matchup. Offensive rebounds save possession and produce bonus opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Rockets grade out best in in the league with 14.7 offensive boards per game this year.