The NBA would never pass up an opportunity to have LeBron James featured on Christmas Day, not to mention Kevin Durant, so we’ve got the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Houston Rockets. Even with it being a West Coast matchup, we don’t have to wait for a late-night tip-off, and we’ve got our best Rockets vs. Lakers predictions for Christmas Day.

That’s not all - we’ve also made it so that you can add value to more than just Rockets vs. Lakers picks with a guaranteed Onyx Odds promo code bonus!

Rockets vs. Lakers Predictions for NBA on Christmas Day, 12/25

Last Christmas, we saw the Lakers go on the road and take down the Golden State Warriors, and that was before they even had Luka Doncic. Not only that, but Anthony Davis played just seven minutes and didn’t score a single point. It’s safe to say that LeBron James and Austin Reaves carried the team with a combined 57 points.

While we weren’t making Rockets vs. Lakers predictions on Christmas last year, we did still see Kevin Durant. His Phoenix Suns took down Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets by 10 points. Both KD and Bradley Beal scored 27 points in that victory. Now that KD is in Houston and they were already ahead of schedule last year, they get the premier Christmas Day game.

So, is that enough for us to back them with our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions? Well, if LA remains without Luka Doncic, it may have to be. He missed Tuesday night’s loss with a “leg” injury, as did Rui Hachimura with a groin issue. However, those absences are no excuse for allowing 132 points to the KD-less Phoenix Suns.

That said, Houston also allowed 128 points to the other LA team - the Clippers - on Tuesday night as well. With both teams looking to bounce back from blowout losses, let’s get into the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions to try and add to our NBA expert picks.

 

 

 

Rockets vs. Lakers Best Bet: Over 229.5 Points (-110 at Onyx Odds)

Despite having the #1 all-time scorer in NBA history (LeBron James) and #8 (Kevin Durant) on the court, this Western Conference clash has the second-lowest total of the five Christmas Day games. Considering that and LA as clear underdogs on their home court, the Rockets vs. Lakers odds suggest that Luka Doncic is likely to miss this game.

Once we tell you that the line opened as LA -2.5 (they’re now UNDERDOGS of 3.5 points), then it becomes even clearer. Therefore, we will approach our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions with the assumption that the Slovenian will be out. No Luka Doncic is bad news bears for a Lakers squad that just had their head coach call them out publicly.

However, that was for their defensive effort - not something Luka Doncic is known for. Along with LA not exactly having an imposing threat in the post, we’re going to attack the aforementioned low total. Oddsmakers clearly haven’t had a good read on either of these teams this year, not just for Rockets vs. Lakers predictions for Christmas.

We’re able to say that because LA has the absolute BEST record for overs this season, and Houston isn’t far behind with the third-best. Since this line is being listed with the assumption that Luka Doncic is OUT, we’d grab it ASAP in the event he finds a way to play and the total is increased by the books.

So, let’s not waste any more time - the best bet from our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions is simply over 229.5 points (-110 at Onyx Odds).
 

 

 

How To Watch Rockets vs. Lakers on Christmas Day

We said that you wouldn’t have to wait until late night to watch this star-studded showdown, and here’s how to watch Rockets vs. Lakers on Christmas Day:

  • Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
  • When: 8 PM ET on 12/25
  • Watch on TV: ESPN, ABC
  • Where to stream: ESPN+
     
 

 

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

We’re hoping for a close, back-and-forth game to give us even more excitement on the holiday, and here are the latest Rockets vs. Lakers odds for Christmas at Onyx Odds:

 

 

Rockets vs. Lakers Injury Report & Latest News

Once again, the big Rockets vs. Lakers injury is that of Luka Doncic. Unfortunately, we’re almost certainly not going to know his status until much closer to tip-off. LA also saw Jaxson Hayes leave Tuesday’s loss early with an ankle injury.

In Houston, the only Rockets vs. Lakers injuries are long-term, with Fred VanVleet out for the season and Dorian Finney-Smith expected to return next month. Even still, the Luka Doncic injury alone is reason enough to bookmark the Fantasy Alarm NBA injury report!

 

 

 

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As you can see, you’ll then have TWICE the value to start making picks with, and that means more than just Rockets vs. Lakers picks for Christmas! Just be sure to get locked and loaded ahead of tip-off by opening your new account with our exclusive Onyx Odds NBA Christmas promo code ALARM.