The Houston Rockets (1-3) and Los Angeles Lakers (3-1) will face off in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Lakers are 4.5-point favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Lakers -4.5), with the over/under set at 207.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -180 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Houston is +150 to pull off the upset.
Continue below for my Rockets vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29.
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction
- Rockets vs Lakers pick: Rockets Moneyline (+150)
My Lakers vs. Rockets Game 5 best bet is on Houston moneyline at +150. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Lakers Odds for Game 5
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -115 | 207.5 -115o / -105u | +150 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -105 | 207.5 -115o / -105u | -180 |
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Rockets vs Lakers NBA Playoffs Game 5 Preview
Houston Rockets Betting Preview, Analysis
It seems like Houston has finally found a little something here. For the first time in a while, it feels like the Rockets are playing high-level team basketball.
The strategy is no longer, "just give the ball to Kevin Durant and let him go figure out the offense" like we saw when KD was out there. The ball is moving, and the roles are making a lot more sense now.
I thought Amen Thompson looked great in Game 4. Honestly, why can’t this guy play like that every single night? He had that incredible spin into the lane early in the game that just reminded you he is one of the most athletic players in the entire NBA. I want to see more of that aggressiveness because when he’s attacking like that, it changes the entire geometry of the court for Houston.
Then you look at Alperen Sengun. Everything ran through him in Game 4, and it ran as smoothly as you could possibly ask for from a Rockets team that has, frankly, spent most of this season struggling on the offensive end.
When Sengun is the hub, everyone else slots into their natural positions. You let Reed Sheppard stand out there and shoot his threes—the kid is a knockdown threat that you have to respect.
If you look hard enough at this roster, there is actually some really good offensive basketball hidden in there, and we’re finally seeing it come to the surface.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview, Analysis
The real reason I’m leaning toward Houston tonight isn't just their offense; it’s the fact that, defensively, thee Rockets are just worlds better than the Lakers right now.
I know people see the names on the Lakers' roster and think it’s amazing, but I’m going to say it: I think this is the worst starting lineup in the NBA playoffs.
Think about who they are actually putting out there. You’ve got LeBron James at 40 years old. He can still give you a vintage "LeBron game" here and there, but we saw exactly what the bottom looks like in Game 4.
Around him, you’re looking at Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Luke Kennard. Seriously, among the teams left in the postseason, is there a starting five you’d rank lower than that? I put this Lakers group at the bottom of the barrel.
Rockets vs Lakers Pick, Betting Analysis
The Lakers have been solid on their home floor, sure, but they are entirely dependent on LeBron turning into a superhuman.
The data tells the whole story: when LeBron is off the court, the Lakers' lineup that we previously discussed is -35.
That is a staggering number. It basically means that either LeBron turns back the clock and carries them for 40+ minutes, or they are cooked.
I just don't know how you can bank on a 40-year-old having to be the savior game after game, especially against a desperate Rockets team that might have finally found its identity.
The report from Shams just came out saying Austin Reaves is optimistic to return for Game 5 tonight. I’ll be honest, I don’t love that for the Rockets’ side of things—Reaves matters a lot to the Lakers' spacing and secondary playmaking.
But even with the threat of Reaves returning, I’m sticking with Houston in Game 5 tonight. The Rockets have the defensive edge, they have the momentum of a team that’s figured out how to play together, and at +150, the value is just too good to pass up.
Pick: Rockets Moneyline (+150)
