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The Los Angeles Lakers are 8.5-point underdogs heading into Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Friday, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. The Lakers hold a 2-0 lead in the series.
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Lakers vs. Rockets Predictions for Friday
Our computer projections model for this encounter predicts a final result of Rockets 116, Lakers 111.
- Moneyline Pick: Rockets (-332)
- Total Pick: Over 206.5 (computer predicts 227.4 points)
- Pick ATS: Lakers (+8.5)
Recent Lakers vs. Rockets Matchups
| Date | Favorite | Spread | Total | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/21/2026 | Rockets | -5.5 | 208.5 | -227 | +187 | 101-94 LAL |
| 4/18/2026 | Rockets | -2.5 | 208.5 | -139 | +117 | 107-98 LAL |
| 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's ATS record is 36-46-0 this season.
- The Rockets are 10-21 against the spread when favored by 8.5 points or more this season.
- Houston has gone over in 39 of its 82 games with a set total (47.6%).
- The Rockets have won 48, or 66.7%, of the 72 games they've played as favorites this season.
- This season, Houston has won 20 of its 28 games, or 71.4%, when favored by at least -332 on the moneyline.
Lakers 2025-26 Betting Trends
- Los Angeles has a 45-37-0 record against the spread this season.
- The Lakers have a 1-5 record against the spread in games they were an underdog by 8.5 points or more this season.
- Los Angeles' games have hit the over 42 out of 82 times (51.2%).
- The Lakers have put together a 15-18 record in games they were listed as the moneyline underdog (winning 45.5% of those games).
- When playing as a moneyline underdog with odds of +265 or longer, Los Angeles has gone 1-4 (20%).
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Lakers vs. Rockets Injury Report
Rockets
Rockets:
Kevin Durant: Questionable (Ankle),
Steven Adams: Out For Season (Ankle),
Fred VanVleet: Out For Season (Acl)
Lakers
Lakers:
Austin Reaves: Questionable (Oblique),
Luka Doncic: Out (Hamstring)
Lakers vs. Rockets Game Time and TV Channel
- Game day: Friday, April 24, 2026
- Game time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Amazon Prime Video
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Arena: Toyota Center
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