Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA
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by Ita Emmanuel | in NBA Predictions
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the 2025-26 NBA Playoffs first round this evening. The Lakers locked in the Western Conference’s fourth seed at 53–29 on the regular season, while the Rockets finished fifth at 52–30. Here is our prediction for the game.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been regulars in the NBA Playoffs since the 2022-23 season. Last term, their post-season campaign ended in the first round with a 4–1 series defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
JJ Redick’s men will target a stronger run this time around. They closed out their regular-season campaign with three consecutive wins despite missing season’s leading scorer Luka Doncic to a hamstring blow.
The Houston Rockets rounded off their regular-season campaign on a strong note, putting up a 9–1 record down the stretch to qualify for their second consecutive NBA Playoffs. The Rockets went 4–4 in their final road games in the regular season, but have lost four of their last five games against the Los Angeles Lakers (the last two defeats came at home).
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Los Angeles Lakers v Houston Rockets Best Betting Odds
| Bookmaker | 1 | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|
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2.25 | 1.67 |
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2.14 | 1.7 |
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2.14 | 1.7 |
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2.2 | 1.71 |
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2.22 | 1.7 |
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Who will win the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Basketball game?
Our prediction for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets match is: Los Angeles Lakers +5.0 handicap.
The best winner predictions and betting odds for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets game on 18/04/2026 of the current NBA season:
- Los Angeles Lakers has a 53.31% chance to pick up the win against Houston Rockets according to LSbet ⭐ with the odds of 2.7.
- There is a probability of 46.69% ⭐ for Houston Rockets to win vs Los Angeles Lakers with odds of 1.71 at Betway.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Form
Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
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5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
12 Apr 2026 - NBA
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3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
9 Apr 2026 - NBA
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5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
12 Apr 2026 - NBA
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7 Apr 2026 - NBA
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3 Apr 2026 - NBA
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
12 Apr 2026 - NBA
10 Apr 2026 - NBA
9 Apr 2026 - NBA
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1 Apr 2026 - NBA
31 Mar 2026 - NBA
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
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Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
67 %
33 %
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Players list
M. Smart
L. Kennard
L. James
R. Hachimura
A. Thompson
J. Okogie
R. Sheppard
J. Smith
Substitutes
D. Knecht
N. Smith Jr.
B. James
J. Laravia
A. Thiero
J. Vanderbilt
M. Kleber
J. Davison
A. Holiday
J. Green
T. Eason
K. Durant
D. Finney-Smith
J. Tate
Los Angeles Lakers - Houston Rockets Key Points
- The Los Angeles Lakers won their last three regular-season games.
- The Lakers have won four of their last five games against the Rockets.
- The Houston Rockets are 4–4 in their last eight road games.
- The Rockets are 1–10 in their last 11 NBA away games against the Lakers.
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Our Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction
Bookmakers are backing the Houston Rockets for a win with Luka Doncic ruled out of the game for the Los Angeles Lakers due to injury. However, the Lakers appear to have made light of Doncic’s absence with a strong finish to the regular season without the forward.
We are backing them to either win or cover the spread. 10 of their last 11 NBA home encounters with the Rockets have ended in victory, including their last two matchups. Our Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets prediction is Los Angeles Lakers +5.0 handicap.
If your team in the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets game takes a 20-point lead, you win!
If you want to place a bet on the moneyline in the Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets game, then bet365 is the place to do it. If the team that you have bet on takes a 20-point lead in the game, then bet365 will pay your bet out as a winner. If your team goes on to lose, you are still a winner.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
