| MATCHUP | Los Angeles Lakers | Houston Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 53-29 | 52-30 |
| Spread | +8.5 -108 | -8.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +270 | -340 |
| Total | Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110) |
| Where | Toyota Center (Houston), Houston, TX | |
| When | Friday, April 24, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | Prime Video | |
LA Lakers Betting Preview
The LA Lakers have a chance to all but end the series by taking a 3-0 lead. Five of the Lakers’ last 6 losses have come on the road. The Lakers have won 18 of their last 22 games.
The LA Lakers are averaging 104 points on 52.9 percent shooting and allowing 96 points on 39 percent shooting. Luke Kennard is averaging 25 points and 5 rebounds, while LeBron James is averaging 23.5 points and 8 rebounds. Marcus Smart is the third double-digit scorer, and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 48.9 percent from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 29 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36 rebounds per game.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets need a win to have a real shot of winning this series. The Rockets have won 7 of their last 8 home games. The Rockets have won 11 of their last 17 games overall.
The Houston Rockets are averaging 96 points on 39 percent shooting and allowing 104 points on 52.9 percent shooting. Kevin Durant is averaging 23 points and 6 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. is the third double-digit scorer, and Amen Thompson is grabbing 6 rebounds. The Houston Rockets are shooting 29 percent from beyond the arc and 71.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Houston Rockets are allowing 48.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Lakers have lost each of their last seven Western Conference First Round road games.
- The Rockets have won each of their last seven home games following a road loss.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the Lakers’ last six playoff games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last three Western Conference First Round games as favorites.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against the Rockets following a win.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Rockets’ last nine Western Conference First Round games as favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last four games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Jabari Smith Jr. has played the most minutes in a single game without making a field goal of any player in the league this season—42:16 against the Warriors on March 5.
- Reed Sheppard ranks 10th in the league for total steals + blocks (176) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Deandre Ayton ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FG% (67.1%) this season.
- Rui Hachimura ranks 5th amongst qualified players for 3P% (44.3%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rockets have suffered the largest comeback loss from an HT lead this season—led by 22 points @ Pelicans on December 18.
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for Q3 opponent points per game this season (26.9).
- The Lakers rank 29th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.4).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (26.8).
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Injury Report
Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers. Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable with an oblique injury.
The Rockets will be without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. Kevin Durant is questionable with a knee injury.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction
I’ve said it in my game 1 write-up. The Rockets should win this series with the Lakers down Luka and Reaves, but if there were a team that would blow it, it would be these Rockets. The Rockets haven’t been serious all season given their talent advantage and they go through these stretches where it looks like they don’t enjoy playing together. Now, the Lakers look like they could get Reaves back, which is a massive boost and takes a load off LeBron in terms of scoring and ball handling.
Since March 8, the Lakers are 9-2 ATS and SU as an underdog. That includes four straight wins. Must win at home, I do expect the Rockets to win this game, but if there was a team to blow it, it would be these Rockets. Either way, too many points. Give me the Lakers.