Lakers-Rockets Game 5 betting preview: Total hits a new low

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The Los Angeles Lakers can advance the Western Conference finals with a win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Will the top seed in the West come through for bettors for the fourth straight game?

Here's everything you need to know for Saturday's Game 5:

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5, 216)

Don't let the offensive firepower in this series fool you: It's been a treasure trove for under bettors.

Game 3 was the lone over, which hit by a mere three points. Otherwise, it's been all defense, forcing oddsmakers to set a series-low total for Game 5.

The case for the Lakers

The Lakers have put on a defensive clinic since flailing in Game 1. They've held the regular season's second-best scoring offense to 103.6 points per game over the last three, resulting in a trio of team total unders. Rockets star guard James Harden has been kept at bay and is coming off a Game 4 in which he shot just 2-for-11 from the floor.

We recently highlighted rhythm as an underrated factor in L.A.'s postseason fortunes thus far. The Lakers dropped both series openers but have since coasted when playing on a regular playoff schedule. They're currently on a 6-0 run against the spread when they play on one day's rest.

The case for the Rockets

Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni overcame a 3-1 playoff series deficit against the Lakers in 2006 when he was coaching the Suns. This isn't the time to panic.

The Rockets are still very much alive in a series in which virtually nothing has gone right for them. Consider this: Houston was outscored 19-2 in transition and 17-3 in second-chance points in Game 4, and it gave up more than 60 points in the paint. Yet the Rockets only lost by 10.

Who knows what can happen if Houston gets a bounce or two its way.

Important trends

• The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight as playoff favorites
• The Rockets are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 following an ATS loss
• The Rockets are 1-8 ATS in their last nine playing on one day's rest
• The Lakers are 10-3 to the under in their last 13 following a win
• The Rockets are 13-3 to the under in their last 16 playing on one day's rest
• The under is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these teams

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.