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Lakers vs. Rockets odds, prediction, time: 2026 NBA playoff picks, April 21 best bets by proven model
TL;DR
The Lakers host the Rockets in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA playoffs after winning Game 1. The Lakers are 5.5-point underdogs, with tipoff at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Key points
- Lakers won Game 1 against Rockets 107-98
- Lakers are 5.5-point underdogs for Game 2
- Tipoff at 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena
- Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out for Lakers
- Kevin Durant is questionable for Game 2
Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsLuka DoncicAustin Reaves
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The Los Angeles Lakers, after an upset win on their home court, will host the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in Game 2 of their 2026 NBA playoff first-round series. The West's No. 4 seed, Lakers (53-29), defeated the fifth-seeded Rockets (52-30) 107-98 in Sunday's Game 1. Los Angeles has now won four straight, while Houston has dropped two of their last three games. The Lakers are 24-16 all-time versus the Rockets in the NBA postseason. Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) remain out for the Lakers. Kevin Durant (knee), who missed Game 1, is listed as questionable for Game 2.
Tipoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The latest Rockets vs. Lakers odds have Houston as a 5.5-point favorite, while the over/under for total points scored is 206.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Rockets picks,Ā check out the Rockets vs. Lakers predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 inĀ bettingĀ profit for $100 players on its top-ratedĀ NBA picksĀ over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the first full week of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 24-9 roll (73%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following itsĀ NBA bettingĀ advice atĀ sportsbooksĀ and onĀ betting appsĀ could have seen huge returns.
Q&A
What are the odds for the Lakers vs. Rockets Game 2?
The latest odds have the Houston Rockets as 5.5-point favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers.
What time does the Lakers vs. Rockets Game 2 start?
Game 2 between the Lakers and Rockets is scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Who is injured for the Lakers in Game 2 against the Rockets?
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out for the Lakers, while Kevin Durant is listed as questionable.
What is the total points over/under for the Lakers vs. Rockets Game 2?
The over/under for total points scored in Game 2 is set at 206.5.
