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:
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