The Houston Rockets (52-28) will visit the Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Lakers are 12-point favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Lakers -12), with the over/under set at 228 total points. Los Angeles is a -750 favorite to win outright, while Houston is +525 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, April 11.
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction
My Lakers vs. Rockets best bet is on the Lakers to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Lakers -9.5
Rockets vs Lakers Odds, Picks, Spread
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12 -110 | 228 -110o / -110u | +525 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12 -110 | 228 -110o / -110u | -750 |
- Rockets vs. Lakers spread: Lakers -12
- Rockets vs. Lakers over/under: 228 total points
- Rockets vs. Lakers moneyline: Rockets +525, Lakers -750
- Rockets vs. Lakers best bet: Lakers -12 (-110)
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Friday Preview
Luka Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time on Wednesday night to take on his former team. While he was overcome with emotions early, that did not affect him once the game started.
Doncic finished with 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, going 7-for-10 from three. Led by him, the Lakers defeated the Mavericks 112-97 for their third win in their last four games.
With the win, the Lakers have put themselves in a favorable position to lock up the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. That would help them avoid the Play-In Tournament and Oklahoma City until the Western Conference Finals. Should the bracket hold to form, that would set up a second-round matchup against the Rockets.
The Rockets have already secured the second seed after winning 15 of their last 18 games. They have been in Los Angeles the past few days, losing to the Clippers 134-117 on Wednesday night.
However, it was a game they essentially punted as Jalen Green was the only starter to play, and he was on the floor just 15 minutes himself. They did get an encouraging sign for the future as No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard has 20 points, four assists, two steals, and went 6-for-10 from three.
Houston may look to give its key players more rest and more playing time to its young talent. All-Star center Alperen Sengun is questionable tonight for personal reasons. Fred VanVleet (right ankle) and Jabari Smith Jr. (left groin) are also questionable.
Rockets vs Lakers Betting Predictions
The Lakers have won three of the last five meetings in this series and held the Rockets under 100 points in two of those games. Last Monday, they held the Rockets to 98 points with the squad at full strength. If Houston is shorthanded again, it may struggle offensively. However, it also lost to the Clippers by double digits despite scoring 117 points.
The Lakers are 5-3-1 against the spread in their last nine games, and their last three wins have been by double digits. That gives me some confidence that they will win by at least 10 points tonight.
Speaking of Wednesday's Rockets game, my same-game parlay did cash—albeit partially after Sengun and Amen Thompson were voided. As of this writing, due to the uncertainty, there are no player props available for Rockets' players, so I will be sticking to Lakers' props.
Wednesday was Doncic's night from the start, but I like him more as a facilitator tonight. He had nine assists against the Rockets in the last meeting and eight in six of his last eight games against them.
Doncic's playmaking will open opportunities for Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. Reaves has scored 20 points in seven of his last 10 games, including four with 30 or more. Hachimura has connected for two triples in five of his last six games and gets us up to +520 odds for this same-game parlay.
Rockets vs Lakers Best Bet
- Lakers -12 (-110)
Rockets vs Lakers Same Game Parlay
- Luka Doncic Over 7.5 Assists
- Austin Reaves Over 19.5 Points
- Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Payout: +520
Lakers vs. Rockets Betting Trends
