Lakers get their shot at the Rockets

While the streak continued for Houston two days ago, another came to an end.

The Rockets extended their string of victories to 21 with an 89-80 decision over visiting Charlotte on Friday night, but the second-hottest team in NBA history did not cover the point spread for the first time in more than a month.

According to the website Vegasinsider.com, Houston was a 10-point favorite over the Bobcats, meaning the Rockets failed to cover the number for the first time since they defeated Sacramento, 89-87, in Texas on Feb. 13.

Winners of 20 of 33 against the spread at home, the Rockets will play host this afternoon to the Lakers, who are 22-11 versus the number on the road. Another victory and the Rockets would be two-thirds of the way to equaling the league record of 33 consecutive wins set by L.A. during the 1971-72 season.

After the Lakers, Houston has games in succession with Boston, New Orleans, Golden State and Phoenix. If the streak remains intact after that stretch, then the talk will become serious about the Rockets doing what Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and their supporting cast accomplished some 36 years ago.

The website Racebook.com is offering future wagers on potential NBA Finals matchups, and the favorite is one many fans would love to see in June. Boston and the Lakers are the current 2-1 choice, followed by the Celtics and San Antonio at 4-1. A Detroit-Los Angeles final is 9-2.

The possibility of a Finals pitting the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Cleveland’s LeBron James is 9-1. A rematch of last year’s championship series -- something few want to see given how one-sided it was in 2007 -- featuring defending titlist San Antonio and the Cavaliers is 15-1.

Some more-unlikely scenarios where the Lakers would be the Western Conference representative include Orlando (25-1), Toronto (35-1), Washington (50-1), Atlanta (100-1) and Chicago or New Jersey (125-1).

Baseball

New York may be favored to win the National League pennant this season, but the Mets are the underdog going head to head with defending National League East champion Philadelphia.

The Phillies, who won 12 of 18 against New York in 2007, including their final eight meetings, is -150 on the website Bodoglife.com. This means a bettor would wager $150 to win $100. New York, meanwhile, is +180, meaning a $100 bet would return $180.

Other head-to-head matchups in the NL include reigning Central champion Chicago (-220) versus Houston and St. Louis (+180), Milwaukee (-240) against the Astros (+190) and the Brewers (-200) versus the Cardinals (+160).

Milwaukee, which faded late after once holding a substantial lead in the Central last season, was especially dominant against Houston in 2007, winning 13 of 18. Chicago, meanwhile, owned archrival St. Louis, taking 11 of 16.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com