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The Houston Rockets are 4.5-point favorites in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Rockets vs. Lakers Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final score of Lakers 115, Rockets 114.
- Moneyline Pick: Lakers (+171)
- Total Pick: Over 208.5 (computer predicts 228.1 points)
- Pick ATS: Lakers (+4.5)
Recent Rockets vs. Lakers Matchups
| Date | Favorite | Spread | Total | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/18/2026 | Rockets | -2 | 222.5 | -129 | +110 | 124-116 LAL |
| 3/16/2026 | Lakers | -1.5 | 223.5 | -115 | -104 | 100-92 LAL |
| 12/25/2025 | Rockets | -2.5 | 231.5 | -130 | +108 | 119-96 HOU |
| 4/11/2025 | Lakers | -13.5 | 228 | -847 | +574 | 140-109 LAL |
| 3/31/2025 | Lakers | -3.5 | 226.5 | -172 | +145 | 104-98 LAL |
| 1/5/2025 | Rockets | -4.5 | 218 | -186 | +155 | 119-115 HOU |
Rockets 2025-26 Betting Trends
- Houston is 36-46-0 ATS this season.
- The Rockets are 23-33 against the spread when favored by 4.5 points or more this season.
- Out of Houston's 82 games with a set total, 39 have hit the over (47.6%).
- This season, the Rockets have won 48 out of the 72 games, or 66.7%, in which they've been favored.
- Houston has a record of 33-15, a 68.8% win rate, when it's favored by -207 or more by oddsmakers this season.
Lakers 2025-26 Betting Trends
- Los Angeles' ATS record is 45-37-0 this year.
- In games this year in which they were an underdog by 4.5 points or more, the Lakers have a 3-9 record against the spread.
- Los Angeles has hit the over in 42 of its 82 games with a set total (51.2%).
- The Lakers have won 15 of the 33 games they were listed as the moneyline underdog this season (45.5%).
- When playing as a moneyline underdog with odds of +171 or longer, Los Angeles has a record of 2-8 (20%).
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Rockets vs. Lakers Injury Report
Rockets
Rockets:
Fred VanVleet: Out For Season (Acl),
Steven Adams: Out For Season (Ankle),
Kevin Durant: Questionable (Rest)
Lakers
Lakers:
Austin Reaves: Out (Rib),
Luka Doncic: Out (Hamstring)
Rockets vs. Lakers Game Time and TV Channel
- Game day: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Game time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ABC
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Arena: Crypto.com Arena
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