It’s been talked about since the matchup was set, even with the NBA Play-In Tournament going on. This Saturday night is all about Kevin Durant taking on LeBron James in the first round, which will be the featured ABC matchup. So, let’s make it even more exciting by hooking you up with our best Rockets vs. Lakers predictions for Saturday.

Better yet, we’ll make your Rockets vs. Lakers picks even more valuable as well with a guaranteed Kalshi prediction market promo code bonus - legal in ALL 50 STATES!

🤔 Rockets vs. Lakers Predictions for NBA Playoffs on ABC, 4/18

A vintage KD vs. LeBron matchup is already as good as it gets, but it’s especially the case when we know that so many NBA expert picks will be focused on the future Hall-of-Famers. That’s especially the case in LA with Rockets vs. Lakers predictions, as they will be without Luka Doncic AND Austin Reaves.

That’s not a surprise, but it’s why we see significantly inflated lines for LeBron. For example, we’ve seen his points prop as low as 17.5 this season, but now it’s at 25.5 and 26.5. Durant is sitting at a similar value, but of course, those aren’t the only targets that we can use for our Rockets vs. Lakers picks.

As for the regular season meetings, Houston won 119-96 on Christmas Day, but LA won the next two games (both in March) by eight points each. For what it’s worth, that gives LA the advantage against the spread (2-1), and the under was also 2-1 in those games. So, let’s see what makes the cut as the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions.

🔥 Rockets vs. Lakers Best Bet: Amen Thompson Over 31.5 PAR (Use Kalshi To Make Picks On Anything)

As it turns out, nothing that we just noted above made the cut. We’re not going with one of those standard markets, but we’re also not targeting KD or LeBron in terms of the player prop markets. Instead, the focus of our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions is a guy that we think is going under the radar.

Thompson has been sneaky great both as of late and against the Lakers this season. Starting with recent performances, he’s averaging 36.5 points + assists + rebounds (PAR) in April. That alone makes you question this line, and that’s just part of why we think it should be part of your Rockets vs. Lakers picks.

In Houston’s three games against LA this season, it’s been Thompson thriving even more so than KD. It doesn't take long to see why when we tell you that the PG averaged over 38 PAR in those meetings! It’s not normally a position that thrives against LA, but remember, both top backcourt guys are out in Luka and Reaves.

Whether Houston covers the spread or not, we’re taking Amen Thompson over 31.5 PAR (submit a trade with Kalshi prediction market) as the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions.

 

 

 

👀 How To Watch Rockets vs. Lakers NBA Playoffs

With this being the nightcap of the first day of first-round games, here’s how to watch Rockets vs. Lakers NBA playoffs:

  • Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
  • When: 8:30 PM ET on 4/18
  • Watch on TV: ABC
  • Where to stream: ESPN+

🔢 Rockets vs. Lakers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

With LA so short-handed, we knew that Houston would be favored, and you can see the latest Rockets vs. Lakers odds for Saturday below:

 

 

✍🏼 Rockets vs. Lakers Injury Report & Latest News

Speaking of LA being short-handed, we’ll start there with Rockets vs. Lakers injury news. Of course, that means Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but who knows? If LA extends this series long enough, perhaps one or both of them could make a dramatic comeback. So, what about Rockets vs. Lakers injuries in Houston?

They’re looking as healthy as ever with just the old season-enders to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams on the report. With it being the playoffs, make sure that you’re up-to-date on more than just Rockets vs. Lakers news and bookmark our Fantasy Alarm NBA injury report!

💲 How To Make Rockets vs. Lakers Picks at Kalshi & Claim Your Guaranteed Bonus w/ Promo Code ALARMX

Whether you tail our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions or take a different approach, here’s how to do so while scoring today’s guaranteed Kalshi prediction market promo code bonus:

  1. Click here 👈🏼 to create a new Kalshi account
  2. Enter our Kalshi NBA promo code ALARMX
  3. Complete your first 100 contracts (1-99 cents)
  4. Receive a $10 bonus GUARANTEED!

As we said at the beginning, Kalshi is legal in ALL 50 STATES! Start making way more than just Rockets vs. Lakers picks by signing up now ⏰ with our exclusive Kalshi NBA promo code ALARMX!