Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions April 11th 2025

Lakers Look to Secure No. 3 Seed Against Resting Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers have locked in a playoff berth—but they’re not done climbing. With two games left in the regular season, the Lakers will look to tighten their grip on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference when they host the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

Los Angeles (49-31) secured its postseason spot with a 112-97 road win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, fueled by a highly emotional 45-point explosion from Luka Doncic in his return to Dallas.

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“I’m happy it’s over… But it was an amazing experience. The way the fans accepted me, cheered for me—it was just unbelievable,”

– Lakers guard Luka Doncic after returning to face his former team.

Doncic made seven of 10 from deep and added eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the victory, as the Lakers continue their late-season push. Head coach JJ Redick is locked in on seeding.

“It’s an accomplishment, truthfully it is… We want the third seed and we have two more cracks to guarantee that spot,”

– Lakers coach JJ Redick on clinching and pushing for more.

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The Lakers have won six of their last nine and close the season Sunday at Portland. Friday’s game presents a prime opportunity to keep momentum rolling, especially against a Houston team that has nothing left to play for.

The Rockets (52-28) are locked into the No. 2 seed and rested nearly all of their starters in a 134-117 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Amen Thompson all sat out with either injuries or rest.

One player who will suit up? Jalen Green, who’s aiming to play all 82 games for the second consecutive season—something no Houston player has done since Luis Scola in the late 2000s.

Rookie Reed Sheppard seized his opportunity in Wednesday’s start, scoring a career-high 20 points while hitting six triples.

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“Anytime the bench guys get in and make shots, they’re always up and cheering… It’s really cool,”

– Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard on team support.

Houston’s defense, however, was a concern for head coach Ime Udoka. The Rockets allowed 134 points and 19 threes to the Clippers, including 34 or more points in three of the four quarters.

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“They were on pace for 140,”

– Udoka on his squad’s poor defensive showing.

This will be the third meeting between the Lakers and Rockets this season, with the series tied 1-1. Green led Houston to a 119-115 win in January, while Doncic and company avenged the loss on March 31 with a 104-98 win behind three players scoring 20+ points.

With seeding at stake for LA and Houston prioritizing rest, this contest is set up for the Lakers to take a critical step toward securing the No. 3 spot.