The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will meet at the Toyota Center on Friday, April 24, 2026. The game will start at 8:00 PM and will be broadcast on Amaz. This is Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round in the NBA Playoffs, with the Lakers leading the series 2–0.
The Lakers have been strong in their recent games. They won Game 2 against the Rockets with a score of 101-94. LeBron James scored 28 points, while Marcus Smart added 25 points. In Game 1, the Lakers won 107-98, with Luke Kennard scoring 27 points.
The Rockets are looking to bounce back after two losses to the Lakers. In Game 2, Alperen Sengün scored 20 points, and Kevin Durant added 23 points. The Rockets also lost Game 1, where Amen Thompson scored 17 points. They hope to use their home-court advantage to turn the series around.
Rockets Preview
The Houston Rockets are led by head coach Ime Udoka. They play in the Western Conference and are part of the Southwest Division. The team had a strong regular season in 2026 with a record of 52-30. At home, they won 30 games and lost 11.
In the postseason, the Rockets have faced challenges. They have a record of 0-2 in the Western Conference First Round. Both games were against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets lost the first game by 9 points and the second by 7 points.
Alperen Sengün and Amen Thompson have been key players for the Rockets. In the second game against the Lakers, Sengün scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Thompson added 16 points and 9 assists. Kevin Durant also contributed with 23 points and 6 rebounds.
The Rockets’ postseason stats show areas for improvement. They rank 20th in points per game with 96.0. Their field goal percentage is also 20th at 39.0%. Defensively, they allow 104.0 points per game, ranking 7th. They lead in field goal attempts allowed per game with 69.0.
Lakers Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers had a strong regular season in 2026. They finished with a record of 53-29. At home, they won 28 games and lost 13. Their performance placed them first in the Pacific Division and fourth in the Western Conference.
In the postseason, the Lakers are off to a good start. They have won their first two games. Both of these victories were at home. Their current streak is two wins in a row.
LeBron James has been a key player for the Lakers. In the postseason, he averages 23.5 points per game. He also contributes with 8 rebounds and 10 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48.6%.
Luke Kennard is another standout player. He averages 25 points per game in the playoffs. His field goal percentage is 65.4%. Kennard also adds 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Rockets vs Lakers
The game between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers will hinge on shooting accuracy and defense. The Lakers have a strong shooting percentage, ranking second in field goal percentage and first in three-point percentage. Meanwhile, the Rockets struggle with shooting, ranking 20th in both field goal and two-point percentages. Defensively, the Lakers allow the fewest field goal attempts and have the best field goal percentage allowed. The Rockets need to improve their shooting to compete.
- Lakers Points Per Game: 104.0 (15th)
- Lakers Field Goal Percentage: 52.9% (2nd)
- Lakers Three Point Percentage: 48.9% (1st)
- Lakers Points Per Game Allowed: 96.0 (2nd)
- Rockets Points Per Game: 96.0 (20th)
- Rockets Field Goal Percentage: 39.0% (20th)
- Rockets Points Per Game Allowed: 104.0 (7th)
Betting Insights
When looking at the betting insights for this game, there are several trends to consider. These trends can help guide your decisions on the spread and the total points. Below are the top five trends to keep in mind.
- The away team has covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games.
- The home team has gone under the total in 6 of their last 8 games.
- The away team has hit the over in 5 of their last 7 road games.
- The home team has covered the spread in 3 of their last 4 home games.
- The away team has gone under the total in 4 of their last 6 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Rockets vs Lakers
The Rockets are favored in this game, but they need to improve their shooting to win. Their current field goal percentage is low, and they rank 20th in points per game. Key players like Sengün and Thompson must step up to help the team score more efficiently.
The Lakers have shown strong shooting in the postseason. They rank second in field goal percentage and first in three-point percentage. LeBron James and Luke Kennard are performing well, which gives the Lakers a solid chance to continue their winning streak.
Considering the Lakers’ shooting strength and the Rockets’ struggles, the Lakers could cover the spread. The Rockets’ defense is strong, but they need to score more to win. The game might be close, but the Lakers have the edge with their shooting accuracy.
- Our Free Prediction: Lakers +9.0
