Rockets vs Lakers prediction NBA · Thursday, December 25
At a glance
The Los Angeles Lakers (19-9) host the Houston Rockets (17-10) on Thursday, December 25 at 8:00 PM ET at crypto.com Arena in NBA action. Final score: Rockets 119 – Lakers 96. Before tip-off, the Basketlog model gave the Rockets a 59% chance to win: prediction correct. This season, the Lakers are 7-4 at home and the Rockets are 9-8 on the road. Over the last 10 games: 5-5 for the Lakers and 4-6 for the Rockets (current streaks: Lakers L2, Rockets L2).
The analysis Model
Slight edge to the Rockets, but the Lakers have what it takes to keep it close. The model projects Lakers 114 – 117 Rockets, a margin of about 3.0 points in favor of the Rockets and a total around 231 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace.
- The overall strength gap (+0.5 vs +5.8 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Lakers need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Rockets' defense allows clearly fewer points (111.8 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
HOULAL
Top performers
Rockets
Amen ThompsonG · #126pts / game
Kevin DurantF · #78assists
Alperen SengunC · #2812reboundsLakers
Luka DoncicG · #7725pts / gameLuka DoncicG · #777assistsLuka DoncicG · #775reboundsRecent form
HOULAL
HOU
Team comparison
| HOU | LAL | |
|---|---|---|
| 17-10 | Record | 19-9 |
| 118.6 | Points scored / game | 116.4 |
| 111.8 | Points allowed / game | 115.8 |
| +5.8 | Adjusted margin / game | +0.5 |
| L2 | Current streak | L2 |
| 4-6 | Last 10 games | 5-5 |
| 9-8 road | Home / road record | 7-4 home |
| 52-30 (+4.5) | Last season | 50-32 (+1.2) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Rockets
Injury report Lakers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.