The Houston Rockets (0-1) and Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) will face off in Game 2 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
The Rockets are 4.5-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Rockets -4.5), with the over/under set at 206.5 total points. Houston is a -192 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +160 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Game 2 on Tuesday, April 21.
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction
- Rockets vs Lakers pick: Rockets -4.5 (-110)
My Lakers vs. Rockets best bet for Game 2 is on Houston to cover the spread (-4.5). Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Lakers Odds for Game 2
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -115 | 206.5 -110o / -110u | -192 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -105 | 206.5 -110o / -110u | +160 |
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Rockets vs Lakers NBA Playoffs Game 2 Preview
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
I don’t love trusting the Rockets, but Kevin Durant is almost definitely back. Bone bruises just aren’t something that keep guys out for more than a game in the playoffs. KD will play and you’ll get CLV on this line — although, that’s no guarantee of a win.
Houston had everything go wrong for them in Game 1. Alperen Sengun appeared shaken and uncomfortable. Reed Sheppard missed shots. Their whole rotation was a mess.
I’m not sure the Rockets have the tactical ability to make huge adjustments, but a simple matter of “play better” combined with the return of Durant should be enough to get them over the finish line in Game 2.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are still sidelined for the Lakers, so it's no surprise that Los Angeles is listed as an underdog in Game 2 with Houston expecting the return of Durant — and the Rockets trying to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole.
I doubt the Lakers will able to trick their way into scoring enough points to win tonight's contest.
Rockets vs Lakers Pick, Betting Analysis
Rockets -4.5
Durant is singularly so good that he forces enough defensive attention to free up other players on the Rockets.
Sengun, in particular, will almost certainly play better — and that, alone, is probably too much offense for the Lakers to keep pace with.
Over 206.5
My colleague, Michael Fiddle, already took the Over on our Buckets podcast episode — and that seems like the right answer.
Durant coming back, combined with more solid offensive play from the Rockets, as well as the Lakers continuing to be hard to defend because there’s not really much tape out on this version of the team, provides opportunities for LA to get into the gaps of the Rockets’ defense.
The Over in games when Luka doesn’t play is now 13-7 on the season, which is a strong enough trend to back the Over.
Marcus Smart Over 4.5 Assists
Marcus Smart will act as a primary creator next to LeBron James as long as Reaves and Doncic are out — and he’s capable.
Smart knows how to swing the ball and where, and he should pick up enough basic trigger-action assists to go Over this line tonight.
Alperen Sengun Over 13.5 Rebounds & Assists
Let’s bet on a bounce-back performance from Baby Jokic here, as it’s just unlikely Sengun plays as bad as he did last game — and it's also unlikely Deandre Ayton is good enough to keep him off the glass.
Rockets vs Lakers Best Bets for Game 2
- Rockets -4.5 (-115)
- Over 206.5 (-110)
- Marcus Smart Over 4.5 Assists (-135)
- Alperen Sengun Over 13.5 Rebounds & Assists (-108)
