The set-up: The 20-47 LA Lakers got routed 129-101 in Denver on Monday, which followed the team's surprising 122-110 win in Phoenix plus a tough, two-point home loss to the 76ers. LA is two games back of Phoenix (with 15 games remaining), for the West's worst record. The 46-21 Rockets won't catch the Warriors or Spurs but are four games ahead of the Jazz, holding down the West's No. 3 seed.

LA Lakers: Head coach Luke Walton is experimenting with the lineups and started Jordan Clarkson (14.6) at point guard ahead of D'Angelo Russell (15.8 & 4.8 APG) against the Nuggets. Clarkson scored 19 points against the Nuggets and is averaging 20.7 points over the past six games. The Lakers are mots interested down the stretch, not so much with winning, but in evaluating which players they want to keep as they move forward with Magic most-likely making all the key personnel decisions. Rookie center Ivica Zubac (6.9 & 4.1) also received extended playing time against Denver, and had a career-best 25 points (on 12-of-15 shooting) to go with 11 rebounds.

Houston: The Rockets have to be feeling great about themselves after outplaying the defending NBA champions on Sunday. James Harden (29.1-7.9-11.2) had 38 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his 16th triple-double of the campaign in the 117-112 home win over the Cavs. "It's a big win for us, especially because we're down the stretch and it's time to begin preparing ourselves for postseason," Harden told reporters. "Big win against the defending champs."

The pick: The Lakers were 10-10 entering December but then lost 12 of 13 games. They have won consecutive games only once since and arrive in Houston having lost 10 of 11 games. The Lakers are the first of five consecutive games for Houston against teams with losing records, so Houston can be expected to secure its place as the West's No. 3 seed. However, don't expect a track meet. The Under is a 10* play with this high total.