Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Predictions – NBA Playoff Preview | April 24, 2026
23rd April 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers travel to face the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of the first-round series – LAL leads 2-0. Here is what the Statz data says heading into tip-off.
Odds and Lines
Odds via Polymarket. Moneyline: Houston Rockets -344 | Los Angeles Lakers +344. Spread: Houston Rockets -9.5 (1.94) | Los Angeles Lakers +9.5 (2.06). Total: O/U 205.5.
Series Context
This is a First Round matchup. The series is currently LAL leads 2-0. The winner of this game takes a key series advantage.
Form and Team Stats
Houston Rockets (home): 7-3 playoff record, averaging 117.5 points per game and conceding 108.1 ppg. Recent form (last 5): LWLW.
Los Angeles Lakers (away): 7-3 playoff record, averaging 111.7 points per game and conceding 108.5 ppg. Recent form (last 5): WWWW.
Pace and Shooting Splits
Pace favours Houston Rockets. Houston Rockets play at a pace rating of 107.2 (Fast), while Los Angeles Lakers run at 104.6 (Fast).
- Houston Rockets: FG% 47.5 | 3P% 38.7 | FT% 78.6
- Los Angeles Lakers: FG% 49.1 | 3P% 36.4 | FT% 80.2
Player Projections
Statz model projections for April 24, 2026:
- Kevin Durant (HOU): 21.1 pts / 4.8 reb / 5 ast
- Amen Thompson (HOU): 18.7 pts / 6 reb / 6 ast
- Alperen Sengun (HOU): 16.2 pts / 7.5 reb / 5.5 ast
- LeBron James (LAL): 19.7 pts / 6.4 reb / 8.4 ast
- Rui Hachimura (LAL): 14.2 pts / 4.1 reb / 0.9 ast
- Luke Kennard (LAL): 13.9 pts / 3.8 reb / 4.3 ast
Active Prop Streaks
The following players have active prop streaks heading into this game:
- Reed Sheppard (HOU): Threes 1.5 – over in 15 straight
- Luke Kennard (LAL): Blocks 0.5 – under in 15 straight
- Luke Kennard (LAL): Threes 2.5 – under in 7 straight
- Amen Thompson (HOU): Pts 17.5 – over in 6 straight
- Marcus Smart (LAL): Points_rebounds_assists 20.5 – under in 6 straight
- Marcus Smart (LAL): Points_assists 18.5 – under in 6 straight
- Marcus Smart (LAL): Points_rebounds 15.5 – under in 6 straight
- Bronny James (LAL): Pts 1.5 – over in 6 straight
Player Milestones
- Reed Sheppard (HOU): 3s Made 2+ in 15 straight (avg 3.4 per game)
- Amen Thompson (HOU): Points 15+ in 7 straight (avg 22 per game)
- LeBron James (LAL): Steals 1+ in 6 straight (avg 2 per game)
- Kevin Durant (HOU): Points 20+ in 5 straight (avg 28.4 per game)
- Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU): Points 15+ in 5 straight (avg 19.2 per game)
Hit Rate Trends
- Kevin Durant (HOU): Points 20+ – hit 100% in last 5 (5/5 games)
- LeBron James (LAL): Steals 1+ – hit 100% in last 5 (5/5 games)
- Reed Sheppard (HOU): 3s 2+ – hit 100% in last 5 (5/5 games)
- Amen Thompson (HOU): Points 15+ – hit 100% in last 5 (5/5 games)
- Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU): Points 15+ – hit 100% in last 5 (5/5 games)
Injury Report
- Fred VanVleet (HOU) – Out: VanVleet struggled with efficiency during his second season in Houston, but the Rockets’ win-loss record with him on the
- Luka Doncic (LAL) – Out: Although it’s not necessarily an unexpected update, it sounds like the Lakers will have to advance to the second round i
- Austin Reaves (LAL) – Out: Reaves, who is further along than Luka Doncic (hamstring) in their respective rehab processes, has begun 1-on-1 on-court
More NBA Coverage
For live stats, projections and the full schedule, visit the Statz NBA schedule and explore the full Statz game preview for this matchup. Build your own player props bet with the Statz Bet Builder Tool.
Player pages: Kevin Durant stats and projections | Amen Thompson stats and projections | Alperen Sengun stats and projections | LeBron James stats and projections | Rui Hachimura stats and projections | Luke Kennard stats and projections