Houston Rockets (52-28) vs. LA Lakers (49-31)
April 11, 2025 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -9.5; Over/Under: 225
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Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have been on a tear as they’ve won 15 of their last 18 games overall. They will be eager to bounce back in this one after having their three-game win streak snapped by the Clippers in a 134-117 road defeat on Wednesday. Reed Sheppard led the team with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists; Jeff Green added 19 points on seven of nine shooting, while Tari Eason chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Rockets shot 51 percent from the field and 20 of 40 from the 3-point line, but they were poor on the defensive end and were always fighting an uphill battle after allowing 71 points in the first half. The Rockets didn’t really find their groove until the fourth quarter, where they cut the lead to just nine points, but they were never truly a threat.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last nine games overall, and they will be looking to stay hot after blowing past the Mavericks in a 112-97 road win on Wednesday. Luka Doncic led the team with 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 16 of 28 shooting; LeBron James added 27 points with seven rebounds on 11 of 20 shooting, while Rui Hachimura chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 46 percent from the field and 12 of 36 from the 3-point line as they took a narrow lead into halftime, thanks to the hot hand of Doncic. Before, they played excellent defense to limit the Mavericks to just 40 points in the second half. Doncic was obviously the player of the game as he put on a show against his former team, and the Lakers needed all of it as their bench combined for just 11 points.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last 11 night games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The favorites have won each of the Rockets’ last 13 games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won three of their last five games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
- The Lakers have lost two of their last three games as favorites following a win.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 games as favorites following a road win.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.5).
- The Lakers rank 2nd in the league for free throws made per game this season (18.4).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.7).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (14.7).
Lakers vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still keeping eyes on Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr, while the Lakers are coming in with the same lineup for this one. A win here would mean a lot more for the Lakers, who are clinging onto that third seed in the Western Conference standings. However, these teams have already met twice this season, with both games being decided by six points or fewer. I do think the Lakers are favorites at home, but this line just seems a bit too hefty for this matchup. With that being said, I will lean towards the Rockets with the points in a game they could win outright.
