Two of the best teams in the Western Conference meet tonight when the Houston Rockets head to the City of Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that won’t be short on scoring given the recent play of these teams.
With Houston in the middle of a 12- stretch and now sitting second in the West, Los Angeles defense will have its hands full and likely need Luka Doncic to put on a show offensively.
My Rockets vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 31 sees Doncic and Jalen Green teaming up to hit the Over.
Rockets vs Lakers prediction
My best bet: Over 224.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
While the Houston Rockets have been running over teams, it’s also been hitting plenty of Overs. In the Rockets’ last nine games, they’re 7-2-1 betting the Over, which includes beating the Phoenix Suns 148-109 last night.
Houston’s offense has been on fire and it doesn’t look like anyone is capable of putting it out with Ime Udoka’s team seeing its season average of 114.2 PPG jump up to 119.3 in March while the team shoots a monthly high of 47.5% from the floor, while hitting 37.8% of its 3-pointers.
Despite having a solid defense, the Los Angeles Lakers will have their hands full with their defensive drop-off this month. After allowing fewer than 108 PPG in January and February, Los Angeles hasn’t been able to stop anyone.
The Lakers are allowing 116.6 PPG this month with opponents shooting 47.4% from the floor and 36% from beyond the arc. This defense is in a slump and taking on the worst possible team to try and break out of it.
With the way Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have been playing, and the emergence of Amen Thompson, Houston’s offense is making massive strides at the right time. But its defuse hasn’t been at its best as of late, allowing teams to shoot 37% from three.
That should have Luka Doncic and LeBron James rearing to get the Lakers back on track after dropping four of their last six games. Luckily, Los Angeles has the firepower to keep up with Houston, which is why its hit the Over in nine of its last 12 games.
Even with the Lakers not winning as much as they’d like, their offense has been much better since February than it was in December and January. The team is hitting 38.4% of their threes this month, and the Rockets' perimeter could have issues slowing down the Lakers' long game.
The combo of Doncic and Austin Reaves has been hot from 3-point range with Reaves shooting 32-for-85 (37.6%) from deep over his last 10 games and Doncic going 63-for-151 (41.7%) in March.
If those two are potent from behind the arc, this Over will be in good shape.
Rockets vs Lakers same-game parlay
Over 224.5
Luka Doncic Over 7.5 assists
Jalen Green Over 21.5 points
Doncic has been at another level in March. He hasn’t just been hitting 3-pointers with ease and putting up over 30 PPG, he’s also been setting up teammates with his dynamic passing ability helping him to average 8.6 APG in his last 14 games.
Having gone Over 7.5 assists eight times this month, he’ll need to do it again to end Houston’s winning streak. And for the Rockets to continue racking up Ws, they need Green to keep cooking.
The 23-year-old has gone for 30-plus points in three of his last four games and has gone Over 21.5 in eight of his last 10.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rockets vs Lakers odds
Rockets vs Lakers live odds
Rockets vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Houston +3.5 | Los Angeles -3.5
- Moneyline: Houston +135 | Los Angeles -160
- Over/Under: Over226| Under 226
Odds courtesy of bet365
Rockets vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Lakers opened as a 3.5-point home favorite and the line has seen plenty of movement, jumping up to -5.5 before coming back down to -4.
- Both the Lakers and Rockets are among the best teams in the NBA ATS with L.A. 40-32-2 and Houston 40-34-1.
- The Over/Under opened as high as 226.5 and has steadily been dropping down as tip approaches, with most books offering the total at 224.5.
- While the Lakers are just 37-37 betting the Over this season, Houston is 39-34-2, and these two teams hit the Over in their previous matchup this season.
Rockets vs Lakers trend
The Houston Rockets have hit the 2Q game total Over in 16 of their last 19 games (+12.60 Units / 58% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Lakers.
How to watch Rockets vs Lakers
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Monday, 3-31-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
Rockets vs Lakers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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