Houston Rockets vs
Los Angeles LakersPredictions & Preview

Rockets vs Lakers Clash at Crypto.com Arena: Lakers Favored to Cover -9.5 Spread in Western Conference Showdown

On Friday night, all 30 NBA teams will be in action, including a Western Conference clash between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. This preview analyzes the previous matchups between the two teams, with the Rockets winning at home in January and the Lakers responding with a win in March. Los Angeles is considered the favorite with a current line of -9.5. For more information and NBA picks for April 11, 2025, continue reading.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rockets +360 | Lakers -460
• Spread: Rockets +9.5 (-110) | Lakers -9.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 225.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 82%.

Houston vs Los Angeles Stats

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets had their three-game winning streak come to an end last Wednesday with a 134-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite shooting well from the field and behind the arc, the Rockets struggled defensively and failed to cover a 10.5-point spread. Reed Shepard led the team with 20 points, while Jalen Green had a quiet night with just five points. Houston has secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, but key players like Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. were questionable for their upcoming game against the Lakers. In terms of statistics, the Rockets are ranked 13th in offense, 5th in defense, and have a 52-28 record for the season. They excel in rebounding but struggle with turnovers, and have strong defensive numbers, particularly in opponent free throw percentage.

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff berth with a decisive victory against the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying their position as the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference. Despite a standout performance from Luka Doncic, the Lakers' strong defensive effort and dominance in key statistical categories proved to be the difference in the game. Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Portland Trail Blazers in their regular-season finale. In terms of their overall performance this season, the Lakers rank 19th in offense and 11th in defense, with notable statistics in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point shooting. This victory further cements the Lakers' standing as a formidable contender in the NBA.

Lakers Expected to Cover the Spread Against Shorthanded Rockets

It is anticipated that the Rockets will opt to rest key players once again, while the Lakers are likely to field their full lineup in pursuit of securing the No. 3 seed in the ranking. Therefore, I am inclined to predict that the Lakers will be able to cover the spread. In their recent matchup just 12 days prior, the Lakers limited the Rockets to a shooting percentage of 41.6%, outperforming them with a higher number of successful 3-point shots. With Luka Doncic expected to continue his impressive performance from the previous game, it is expected that the shorthanded Rockets will face challenges in effectively defending against him.

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