Rockets vs. Lakers Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA on TNT, Today 3/31
After an epic shootout victory on Saturday night over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers head back to Crypto.com Arena tonight to host the Houston Rockets. Not only that, but this featured Western Conference clash is also the second game of tonight’s TNT doubleheader, and we’ve got our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions for the matchup.
That also means a best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers picks, and we’ll even add to it with a brand new DraftKings Sportsbook welcome offer for a guaranteed $150 bonus!
Rockets vs. Lakers Predictions for NBA on TNT, 3/31
Coming down the stretch of the season, the Rockets and Lakers have two matchups against one another, which means that we’ve seen them tip-off just once so far this year. This is also a matchup that we could end up seeing in the postseason, making Rockets vs. Lakers predictions that much more desirable today.
That previous meeting was back at the very start of 2025, which was a close 119-115 win for the Rockets. Of course, that was prior to the Luka Doncic trade, so it’s safe to say that the Lakers have themselves in a stronger position now than they did nearly three months ago. However, is that enough for LA to get their revenge?
Well, that’s what the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions is here to help answer, but first, more regarding each team.
Houston Rockets: Shooting To The Moon
Not only will the Lakers now have Luka Doncic to help get their revenge, but the Rockets will also be on the second night of a back-to-back after being in Phoenix last night taking on Kevin Durant and the Suns. It was one in which was as dominant of a win as they could have hoped for.
Rather than seeing KD light up the scoreboard due to an ankle injury, it was the Rockets who shot to the moon, putting up 148 points in a 39-point victory! While they had eight different players score double digits, it was Jalen Green that led the way with 33 points. That was also all after Dillon Brooks got ejected from the game.
Los Angeles Lakers: Thrill Of Victory, Agony Of Defeat
If there is one phrase to describe the Lakers last week or so, it would be photo finish. The viral photo from the win over the Grizz featuring LeBron’s dunk with Luka in the forefront mimicked the famous one of LeBron + Dwayne Wade, and that was just the icing on the cake.
It started with a buzzer-beating WIN on the Indiana Pacers on ESPN Wednesday night. The very next night, it was a buzzer-beating LOSS to the Chicago Bulls. That combination made them just the fifth team in NBA history with a buzzer-beating win and loss in back-to-back games, so we could be in store for an epic one tonight.
Rockets vs. Lakers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Even with Houston having won the last meeting between these teams, the Rockets vs. Lakers odds at DraftKings Sportsbook have LA as the clear favorite:
- Point Spread: Houston Rockets +4.5 (-110) vs. Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-110)
- Money Line: Houston Rockets (+154) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-185)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 227.5 (-110) vs. Under 227.5 (-110)
Rockets vs. Lakers Best Bet: Under 227.5 Points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
With two games remaining against the Rockets and the Lakers being close behind them for the #2 seed in the Western Conference standings, taking down Houston in both of those matchups would be absolutely massive for their seeding heading into the postseason.
They certainly have the talent to get those victories, but for our purposes in terms of Rockets vs. Lakers predictions, can they do so while covering the spread? Well, that market is often inflated given the duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic alone, and on top of that, they’re at home for tonight’s game.
Even without those factors, the Lakers average point differential in their wins is just 0.8 points, so it’s safe to say that they love to take their fans on a rollercoaster, as if we haven’t exemplified that already. So, where should you focus your Rockets vs. Lakers picks instead?
Well, rather than sweating out a pick on the point spread, we’re going to be rooting against points tonight. While that may not be the most fun approach, it’s where we see value. The Lakers shootout against the Grizz on Saturday in combination with Houston’s offensive explosion last night has tonight’s total set higher than we think it should be.
Defense has been the name of the game of the Rockets’ surprise story this season, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game by controlling the boards, as they also allow the fifth-fewest rebounds per game. The Lakers are close behind them in both regards, and both rank in the bottom half of the NBA in terms of pace.
Adding all that up makes the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions on the under 227.5 points (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook).
Rockets vs. Lakers Injury Report & Starting Lineups
The Lakers recently saw the return of Rui Hachimura, meaning that their primary and sole concern is Maxi Kleber, who is set to be re-evaluated from his right foot surgery. As for Houston, we saw both Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason miss Sunday’s game against the Suns.
HOU Rockets:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Amen Thompson
- Dillon Brooks
- Alperen Sengun
LA Lakers:
How To Bet On Rockets vs. Lakers at DraftKings Sportsbook & Claim Your $150 Bonus
Whether you like the sound of our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions or have your own approach, here’s how to take it and earn a guaranteed $150 bonus with the brand new DraftKings sign up bonus:
- Sign up here for a new DraftKings account
- Make an initial deposit of at least $5
- Wager at least $5 on any sporting event
Just for placing that $5+ bet, no matter if it wins or loses, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets! As you can see, that’s also with no DraftKings promo code required, but that’s so long as you become a new member through us!
Player News
Mavericks have won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery.
With just a 1.8 percent chance of success, Dallas leaped up in the lottery to nab the top pick in the 2025 draft. A little over three months after GM Nico Harrison traded away Luka Doncic, the Mavs will have a new young superstar to build around. Cooper Flagg is the expected top pick, and he will flawlessly fit Harrison’s mantra “defensive wins championships” that he has echoed tirelessly in every interview since trading Doncic. Assuming nothing changes, Flagg will join a loaded Dallas team that should be a contender in the stacked Western Conference next season. San Antonio, Philadelphia and Charlotte round out the top four picks in a talented draft class.
Brandin Podziemski had 11 points (3-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist and four steals in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Monday.
Podziemski was 3-of-14 from the field and missed all four of his three-point attempts. His 22.5 field goal percentage in this series is the worst for any player (min. 35 attempts) since Pero Antic shot 16.7 percent in the Hawks vs. Pacers series in 2014, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. Down 3-1 in the series now, the Warriors need Stephen Curry to return from his hamstring injury for Game 5, a miracle or both to get back in this series.
Jimmy Butler had 14 points (5-of-9 FGs), six rebounds, three assists and one block in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Monday.
Despite the Warriors win in Game 1, Butler warned in postgame interviews that Stephen Curry is the team’s best player and it was going to be difficult to win games without him. After what’s transpired over the last three games, which the Warriors have all lost, he might’ve been underselling it. Butler wasn’t able to fill Curry’s shoes in Game 4. In fact, he was a team-worst minus-30 in 34 minutes in the seven-point loss. The Warriors will have their backs against the wall facing elimination in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Julius Randle had 31 points (11-of-21 FGs), five rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in Game 4 against the Warriors on Monday.
Anthony Edwards had 30 points (11-of-21 FGs), four rebounds, five assists, two steals and six three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-110 victory over the Warriors in Game 4 on Monday.
Derrick White had 23 points (6-of-12 FGs), three rebounds, two assists and six three-pointers against the Knicks in Game 4 on Monday.
White was the Celtics second leading scorer in Game 4, but he was the only consistent scorer for Boston outside of Jayson Tatum. The 30-year-old point guard got all of his points on six three-pointers and five free throws. Unfortunately for the Celtics it wasn’t enough as Boston was trailing when Tatum went down with a lower leg injury in the final minutes, essentially taking a comeback off the table. The Celtics will look to stave off elimination with their backs against the wall at home in Game 5 on Wednesday.