It’s finally time for Christmas Day basketball, and there will be no shortage of excitement in Los Angeles. The Lakers (19-9) are set to host the Rockets (17-10) in a Western Conference matchup between two teams with a chance to make runs in the postseason.
The home team is entering a new era with F LeBron James taking a back seat to PG Luka Doncic and SG Austin Reaves. The visitors, on the other hand, are hoping veteran F Kevin Durant can help their young core take the next big step.
Below, we'll list a Rockets vs. Lakers prediction and picks for NBA Christmas Day, including PrizePicks player projections for Reaves and G Amen Thompson.
Rockets vs. Lakers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Houston has looked lethal on both sides of the ball. The Rockets boast a top-three offense that’s averaging 120.5 points per game with Durant leading the way. C Alperen Sengun is posting career-high averages in points (23.0) and assists (6.9), while G Reed Shepard has evolved into a legitimate rotation piece.
That offensive growth hasn’t taken away from the Rockets’ defensive intensity, though.
Head coach Ime Udoka’s squad is giving up the fifth-fewest PPG (112.7), and Thompson has only continued to confirm that he’s one of the league’s most versatile and impactful all-round stoppers. He’s in for a test against the weapons Los Angeles has at its disposal.
Doncic is averaging a career-high 34.1 PPG, and his co-star hasn’t been James so far. Reaves has transformed into an All-Star caliber player with his own personal bests in points (27.3), assists (6.5), and rebounds (5.4) per game. James has been able to ease back into things after missing the start of the season with back and leg injuries.
PG Fred VanVleet (knee) and F Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) have been ruled out for the Rockets. G Gabe Vincent (back) is out for the Lakers, while C Jaxson Hayes (ankle), Doncic (leg), and F Rui Hachimura are listed as day-to-day.
Rockets vs. Lakers Over/Under, Spread
The Rockets are 2.5-point favorites, returning a 1.61x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Lakers will return a 2.22x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
- Spread: Rockets -2.5
- Over/Under: 229.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Rockets 1.61x | Lakers 2.22x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Rockets vs. Lakers Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to get you prepared for Rockets vs. Lakers today.
- The Lakers are 9-3 against the spread with one day of rest this season.
- Los Angeles has won its last five home meetings against Houston.
- The Rockets are 3-10 against the spread in December.
- The visitors have lost four of their previous five road games.
Rockets vs. Lakers NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are two of the top Rockets vs. Lakers picks for today. Player projections are via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Rockets G Amen Thompson vs. Lakers Projection – 21.5 Pts + Asts
- Thompson is averaging a season-high 24.5 combined points and assists in December.
- The two-way star is creating 13.4 assist points per 75 possessions, per databallr. That’s a 91st-percentile figure.
- The Overtime Elite product posted 20 points and five assists in his lone matchup against Doncic following his trade last season.
- The Lakers have given up at least 7 assists to the opposition’s lead G four times in their previous five games.
Lakers SG Austin Reaves vs. Rockets Projection – 23.5 Pts + Asts
- Reaves has tallied an average of just 18.7 combined points and assists over his previous three games.
- The Oklahoma product has gone under this mark four times in seven career starts against the Rockets.
- The fifth-year man is averaging 13.4 assists per 100 possessions, a 41st-percentile mark.
- "Hillbilly Kobe" is recovering from a calf injury and came off the bench for the first time this season in his last outing.
Make Rockets vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
This year’s Christmas Day slate will bring us a big-time Western Conference matchup between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
One team is counting on a seasoned veteran in Durant to power the team’s offense, while the other is preparing to pass the reigns from James to a newer generation of stars. Some of the biggest names in basketball will be featured here, but Thompson and Reaves are players worth monitoring.
There are plenty of other options to consider on PrizePicks. Just pick players, predict More or Less on at least two stat projections, then earn real-money rewards if you're right.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
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