NBA Picks: Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Odds – November 4, 2009: With Finals MVP Kobe Bryant suffering from flu-like symptoms, the defending World Champion (3-1) Los Angeles Lakers were barely able to escape from Oklahoma City with a 3-point, overtime victory against Kevin Durant and the feisty Thunder. Tonight, the Purple and Gold continue with their short road trip, which takes them to the Lone Star State.
According to NBA Picks & NBA Odds experts at SBGglobal.com, the Los Angeles Lakers [-1½] have been listed as a slight, sports betting odds favorites to defeat the hosting (3-1) Houston Rockets [+1½] tonight at the 
Toyota Center. This of course means that Ron Artest will be returning to Houston for the first time as a visitor and Trevor Ariza will get his first shot at his former teammates following the offseason.
This will be the first time that these teams meet since last season’s memorable Western Conference semifinals, when the Rockets pushed the Lakers to the limit behind Artest. "I thought it was a good learning experience for these guys," Artest said following the Game 7 defeat to Los Angeles. "They've been through a Game 7. Most young teams get swept. That will really help the Rockets in the future.”
But as it turns out, Ron-Ron wasn’t in the Rockets future, as he signed a 5-year, $33 million deal and moved to Hollywood, trading places with Ariza. “This was a long time coming,” said Artest, who scored a season-high 20 points last night against the Thunder. "As I started to compete against the Lakers and against Kobe (Bryant), I had respect for him and I always wanted to be a teammate of his."
After winning his first championship ring wearing Purple and Gold, Ariza and his agent couldn’t find a common ground with the Lakers, and decided to part ways. "I think (Houston is) the best place for me,” Ariza said during the offseason. "I think I have more of an opportunity here.”
The lanky guard has gone from being a defensive specialist with no jumpshot in LA, to leading Houston in scoring after 4 games. Ariza enters this game averaging 21.3 points per game. It’s going to be very interesting to see if Phil Jackson will put Artest to guard Ariza at any point tonight. The OVER/UNDER for this, NBA Picks: Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Odds – November 4, 2009 game has been set at a combined total of 202 points scored.
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