March 31, 2025 – The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets tonight at Crypto.com Arena, kicking off a three-game homestand with a clash that’s got bettors buzzing. Tip-off’s set for 10 p.m. ET on TNT, and with the Lakers favored at home, the SportsLine Projection Model has crunched the numbers—simulating this NBA matchup 10,000 times. Below, we’ve got the latest odds, predictions, best bets, and a look at their last 10 head-to-head battles to guide your picks.
Lakers Look to Bounce Back
Fresh off a 134-127 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, the Lakers (49-24) are fourth in the Western Conference and hungry to climb higher. LeBron James and Luka Doncic have been a dynamic duo since the midseason trade, but Houston’s no pushover. The Rockets (49-26), riding a 148-109 demolition of the Phoenix Suns last night, sit second in the West with a top-five defense. This Monday night tilt’s a chance for LA to flex their home-court muscle—and maybe quiet the doubters after a shaky stretch earlier this month.
Odds and Betting Lines
The SportsLine consensus lists the Lakers as 4.5-point favorites, with the over/under at 224.5 points. Money line odds are Lakers -181 (risk $181 to win $100) and Rockets +151 (risk $100 to win $151). Houston’s on the second night of a back-to-back, which could tilt things—LA’s 8-2 in their last 10 at home, while the Rockets are 2-8 on the road over their past 10. The model leans Under on the total, projecting 218 points, and has a strong spread pick worth checking out.
Last 10 Matchups: Lakers vs. Rockets
Here’s a rundown of the last 10 games between these two, showing how they’ve traded blows over the years. The Lakers lead the all-time series 148-90, but recent games have been tighter. Check the table below for scores and dates:
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 5, 2025 | Rockets | Lakers | 119-115 | Rockets |
| November 17, 2024 | Lakers | Rockets | 108-102 | Lakers |
| October 28, 2024 | Rockets | Lakers | 112-106 | Rockets |
| January 29, 2024 | Rockets | Lakers | 135-119 | Lakers |
| December 22, 2023 | Lakers | Rockets | 118-112 | Lakers |
| November 19, 2023 | Lakers | Rockets | 105-104 | Lakers |
| April 2, 2023 | Rockets | Lakers | 134-109 | Lakers |
| March 15, 2023 | Rockets | Lakers | 114-110 | Rockets |
| January 16, 2023 | Lakers | Rockets | 140-132 | Lakers |
| March 9, 2022 | Rockets | Lakers | 139-130 (OT) | Rockets |
Note: Data reflects regular season games from available records and recent trends. All-time H2H stats from Land of Basketball show Lakers leading 148-90 through 238 games.
Why the Model Loves One Side
SportsLine’s model, boasting a 67-41 record on top-rated NBA picks this season, sees value here. Houston’s defense (109.1 points allowed per game) is elite, but fatigue from last night’s blowout could show. The Lakers’ paint dominance with James and Anthony Davis might exploit that—LA averages 116.4 points (12th in the league). The model’s projecting Under 224.5 and has a confident spread pick—head to SportsLine for the full scoop.
Best Bets to Watch
Time’s ticking to tip-off, so here’s where to put your money. Under 224.5 looks solid—Houston’s road legs and LA’s home D could keep it tight. Player props? Jalen Green’s hot (33 vs. Suns), but a rested Lakers defense might cool him off—consider his points under. Lock in now—this one’s got playoff stakes written all over it.