Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Partner Authors Updated: Apr 11 2025 13:18

The Houston Rockets, having lost on the road the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday evening, remain on the West Coast to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at 10 PM ET.

The two teams have split two games so far this season, and this should be an exciting rubber match, but this is also one of those end-of-season contests where one side has already locked up its playoff seeding.

That would be the Rockets, who have had a breakout season under coach Ime Udoka. They have won 15 of their last 18 and are currently 52-28, the most regular-season wins for the franchise since the 2018/19 season. The team has clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and are heading to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

However, that also means Udoka is giving the bulk of his starting lineup a rest heading into the postseason. In Wednesday’s 134-117 loss to the Clippers, only Jalen Green, the team’s leading scorer, started. And that’s just to make sure he clinches 82 starts this season. He played 15 minutes in the game and scored five points.

In contrast, they are playing a Lakers team that is very motivated to keep their starters on the court. Los Angeles is 49-31 and has won three of their last four games to hold the No. 3 seed in the West. But that position is still tenuous, with five teams still within two games. Los Angeles controls its destiny, so expect a standout performance by the team.

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers betting picks and predictions

Los Angeles Lakers -9.5 (-110)

The Lakers need this game, the Rockets don’t. It’s that simple. Houston’s reserves played admirably against the Clippers on Wednesday night. Rookie Reed Sheppard had 20 points, veteran Jeff Green added 19 points, and Tari Eason contributed 17 points in the loss.

The Rockets’ reserves will do the same thing in this contest, but they won’t be able to stay with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and the rest of the Lakers for the entirety of the game.

Look for the Lakers to move one step closer to clinching the third seed by winning and covering the 9.5-point spread as favorites.

Luka Doncic Over 30.5 Points (-125)

Doncic has been everything the Lakers hoped for when they acquired him at the trade deadline. He is averaging 27.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists since coming to Los Angeles. And he’s averaging more than 30 points a game since the end of February.

Coming off a 45-point effort against his old team, don’t look for Doncic to take his foot off the gas. He has scored more than 30.5 points in 12 of his 27 games with his new team. Look for him to make it a baker’s dozen.

Under 226.0 Total Points (-110)

With the Rockets having clinched the No. 2 seed, the Lakers should overwhelm their reserves and there is no need to push the gas offensively once they have taken control.

Look for the two teams to combine for Under 226.0 points.

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds

Houston Rockets	+350 ML
Los Angeles Lakers	-450 ML
Spread	LA Lakers -9.5
Total Points	O/U 226

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers player props

Tari Eason (HOU Rockets)	O/U 11.5
Cam Whitmore (HOU Rockets)	O/U 7.5
Reed Sheppard (HOU Rockets)	O/U 5.5
Luka Doncic (LA Lakers)	O/U 30.5
LeBron James (LA Lakers)	O/U 22.5
Austin Reaves (LA Lakers)	O/U 19.5