The Rockets opened as heavy series favorites, sitting around -800 to win the series, while the Lakers are priced at +550, reflecting the injury situation in Los Angeles.
(Julio Cortez / Associated Press) Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game without pay for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot during pregame introductions, the NBA announced Wednesday. The Lakers played the Wizards at Capital One Arena on Friday night. Hayes will miss the Lakers' game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The backup center is averaging 6.4 points on 77.5% shooting and 3.8 rebounds. He's the primary lob threat for Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic.
"I think there's probably a level of frustration when you're turning the ball over and you're feeling like you're getting fouled," Redick said. "There's frustration there, for sure. But I mean, again, I said it even here, we said it this morning: They're going to foul every possession. It's just, you got to play through it."
Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official during halftime of the game Thursday against the Utah Jazz, the NBA announced Saturday. Smart was assessed a technical foul for his action as walked off the court for intermission after exchanging words with an official. The Lakers pulled out a 143-135 victory in Salt Lake City
