Rockets vs. Lakers 2026 NBA Playoffs Series Preview, Picks, Odds
This Western Conference first-round series carries plenty of intrigue, as the Rockets will face a significantly shorthanded Lakers squad that could be without both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for the entire series due to their respective hamstring and oblique injuries. Houston and Los Angeles finished with nearly identical regular-season records — the Rockets were 52-30, while the Lakers checked in with a 53-29 mark — but the aforementioned injuries makes Houston heavy series favorites.
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Betting Analysis
The Rockets finished their third season under Ime Udoka in the No. 5 seed, matching last year’s 52-30 mark but dropping three spots in the final Western Conference regular-season standings. Houston signaled its championship aspirations clearly when it added future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant in the offseason, a move that paid off handsomely when KD averaged at least 26.0 points for the eighth consecutive season. Then, both Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun put together stellar seasons in their own right, while Jabari Smith emerged as a legitimate source of offense with a career-best 15.8 points per game.
The Lakers mostly benefited greatly from a full offseason of integrating Dončić into their system, as Luka put up the second-highest scoring average of his career (33.5) over 64 games while filling out the rest of the stat sheet in signature fashion. His presence often helped make up for James’ absences, which shot up to 22 overall this past regular season after he’d played 71 and 70 games in the previous two campaigns. Meanwhile, Reaves posted career-best production as both a scorer (23.3 pts) and rebounder (4.7 reb.), and offseason addition Deandre Ayton, while not coming close to replicating his numbers from past stops, nevertheless filled his complementary role reasonably well.
The two teams met three times during the regular season, and Los Angeles emerged with a 2-1 series win. Houston recorded a 23-point victory on the road Christmas Day, as well as a 124-116 in the final meeting on March 18. Sandwiched between those two outcomes was the Lakers’ 100-92 win at Toyota Center in Houston on March 16. The Rockets were notably without Sengun for their one loss, while Reaves played just 15 minutes in Los Angeles’ holiday loss.
In terms of injuries, it’s naturally Doncic’s and Reaves’ absences to open the series that loom extremely large. Both are schedule to reevaluated in the early stages of the series, but there is no guarantee either will be able to suit up at any point in the first round. Consequently, both Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart are slated for starting roles in the backcourt, and the contributions of the likes of Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Ayton figure to be critical.
Meanwhile, Durant is questionable for Game 1 with a bone bruise in his knee, and any absence on his part would naturally even out the odds for Los Angeles to a degree.
The Lakers were 15-18 ATS as underdogs during the regular season, while the Rockets held a Western Conference-worst 17-24 mark against the number as a favorite. Los Angeles notably held a 10-8 mark straight up without Luka this season, and a 17-14 record without Reaves. They were 4-4 in games both missed.
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Prediction, Pick & Best Bet
The Rockets winning the series over the Lakers in six games is the best bet.
Best Bet: Lakers +2.5 (-105)
Series Prediction: HOU 4-2 (+250)
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Schedule
- Sat., Apr. 18 – Houston at Los Angeles, Game 1 – 8:30 p.m./ABC
- Tues., Apr. 21 – Houston at Los Angeles, Game 2 – 10:30 p.m./NBC, Peacock
- Fri., Apr. 24 – Los Angeles at Houston, Game 3 – 8:00 p.m./APVO
- Sun., Apr. 26 – Los Angeles at Houston, Game 4 – 9:30 p.m./NBC, Peacock
- Wed., Apr. 29 – Houston at Los Angeles, Game 5 if nec. – TBD
- Fri., May 1 – Los Angeles at Houston, Game 6 if nec. – TBD
- Sun., May 3 – Houston at Los Angeles, Game 7 if nec. – TBD
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Odds
Series Winner
Series Spread
- Rockets +1.5 (-2000)
- Rockets -1.5 (-380)
- Rockets +2.5 (-5000)
- Rockets -2.5 (-115)
- Lakers +1.5 (+290)
- Lakers -1.5 (+1000)
- Lakers +2.5 (-105)
- Lakers -2.5 (+1400)
Total Games
Series Score
- Rockets 4-0 (+240)
- Rockets 4-1 (+265)
- Rockets 4-2 (+250)
- Rockets 4-3 (+800)
- Lakers 4-0 (+6000)
- Lakers 4-1 (+2500)
- Lakers 4-2 (+2500)
- Lakers 4-3 (+950)
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Betting Resources
- NBA Playoff Odds
- NBA Finals Odds
- NBA Game Odds
- NBA Daily Betting Trends
- NBA First Basket Picks
- NBA Starting Lineups
Rockets vs. Lakers Series Players to Watch
Houston Rockets
- Kevin Durant: 26.0 ppg; 5.5 rpg
- Alperen Sengun: 20.4 ppg; 8.9 rpg; 6.2 apg
- Amen Thompson: 18.3 ppg; 7.8 rpg; 5.3 apg
Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James: 20.9 ppg; 7.2 apg, 6.1 rpg
- Deandre Ayton: 12.5 ppg; 8.0 rpg
- Luke Kennard: 8.4 ppg
Photo Credit: AP/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
