Houston (49-26) at LA Lakers (45-29)
- When: Mar 31 2025, 10:00 PM
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- TV: SportsNet LA
NBA Expert Picks & Predictions: Rockets vs. Lakers
Spread: Lakers -4.0 | Total: 224.5
Houston Rockets: On a Mission
The Rockets are playing their best basketball in years, surging with 12 wins in their last 13 outings. They’re coming off a jaw-dropping 148-109 dismantling of the Suns, where they put on a clinic on both ends. Houston’s offense was electric — 57.1% from the field and a sizzling 58.1% from deep.
Jalen Green continues to elevate his game, dropping 33 points with four triples in the Phoenix rout. With the Rockets now firmly holding the No. 2 seed in the West and two games ahead of Denver, this young squad has its eyes set on a deep playoff run — and they’re playing like they believe it.
Player Prop Picks – Rockets:
Jalen Green OVER 21.5 Points: He’s been cooking and should stay aggressive in a playoff-type atmosphere.
Alperen Sengun OVER 9.5 Rebounds: With LA’s interior defense still hit-or-miss, he’ll get plenty of boards.
LA Lakers: Battling for Playoff Security
The Lakers snapped a skid with a 134-127 win over the Grizzlies, but they’ve been inconsistent, dropping 8 of their last 13. Still, there’s a sense of urgency as they cling to a top-six seed and try to avoid the play-in mess.
Austin Reaves has been red-hot, posting back-to-back 30-point efforts and averaging over 24 points this month. Luka Doncic (29 pts, 9 ast) and LeBron James (25 pts, 8 ast) also showed up big against Memphis. LeBron is listed as probable, and the Lakers will need him healthy for this tough stretch — including this key matchup with Houston.
Player Prop Picks – Lakers:
Austin Reaves OVER 21.5 Points: He’s in rhythm and playing aggressive — worth backing again.
LeBron James OVER 6.5 Assists: With Reaves and Doncic scoring, expect LeBron to play facilitator.
Expert Prediction
Houston is red-hot, but this is the second night of a back-to-back and on the road. The Lakers are healthier than they’ve been in a while, and the sense of urgency is high with playoff seeding at stake. That said, Houston’s fast-paced attack and depth may give LA issues in transition, especially if LeBron isn’t 100%.
Score Prediction: Lakers 116, Rockets 113
Best Bet: Rockets +4.0
Lean: Over 224.5 – both offenses are humming, and this could turn into a shootout late.
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- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
