Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Forecast, 12/25/2025 Synopsis and Selection

• Matchup: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
• Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
• Venue: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Broadcast: ABC
• Current Odds: Houston favored by 3.5 points

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The Los Angeles Lakers (19-9) are set to clash with the Houston Rockets (17-10) at the crypto.com Arena on Thursday. Houston enters this game as 3.5-point favorites, with the total points set at 229.

In their recent outing, the Rockets faced the Clippers, suffering a defeat with a final score of 128-108. Houston’s field goal percentage stood at 50.0% (43 of 86), and they hit 9 of 30 three-point shots. From the free-throw line, the Rockets converted 13 of 18, achieving a success rate of 72.2%. They secured 42 rebounds in total, including 15 offensive boards, while recording 25 assists and forcing the Clippers into 10 turnovers, alongside 5 steals. Defensively, Houston allowed the Clippers to shoot 54.5% (42 of 77) from the field. Conversely, Los Angeles recorded 25 assists and 7 steals, collected 34 rebounds (6 offensive, 28 defensive), and blocked 6 shots. The Lakers made 88.9% of their free throws, successfully converting 24 of 27 attempts, and hit 20 of 37 from beyond the arc. The Rockets committed 20 fouls, while the Clippers had 19.

One standout player for the Rockets was Kevin Durant, who scored 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting. He played 29 minutes, grabbed 5 rebounds, and contributed 1 assist, achieving a shooting efficiency of 53.3%.

Currently, the Rockets have a record of 17-10 this season, averaging 16.2 turnovers and 20.5 personal fouls per game. Houston is pulling down 48.7 boards and has made a total of 697 assists, ranking them 27th in the league for ball distribution. They are shooting 40.0% from three-point range (326 out of 816) and 78.2% from the free-throw line, averaging 120.5 points per game (3rd in the league) with a field goal percentage of 48.7%.

On defense, the Rockets force 13.8 turnovers and commit 22.3 fouls per game. They are ranked first in the league for assists allowed, surrendering 661 for the season. Houston’s opponents are shooting 46.2% from the field (1,102 of 2,384) and grabbing 38.2 rebounds against them, with 35.3% shooting allowed from beyond the arc. They rank 6th in points allowed per game (112.7).

In their last game, the Lakers fell to the Suns with a score of 132-108. Los Angeles collected 38 rebounds, with 24 defensive and 14 offensive, while committing 17 turnovers and recording 7 steals. The Suns committed 24 fouls, leading to 29 free-throw attempts for Los Angeles, who converted 18 for a rate of 62.1%. The Lakers went 39 of 81 from the field, achieving a shooting percentage of 48.1%. The Suns shot 50 of 85 from the floor (58.8%), and the Lakers allowed the opponents to make 12 out of 32 three-pointers (37.5%). In terms of rebounding, the Lakers permitted Phoenix to tally 38 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive end.

LeBron James was a key player for the Lakers, scoring 23 points on 7 of 14 shooting (50.0%) while adding 2 rebounds and 6 assists in 26 minutes of gameplay.

The Lakers hold a record of 19-9 so far this year, committing 20.0 fouls per game and achieving a free-throw percentage of 78.4%. They average 24.9 assists per game (26th in the NBA) and 15.3 turnovers. So far, Los Angeles has scored 3,295 points this season (117.7 per game), while averaging 41.8 rebounds per game and connecting on 49.9% of their field goals, positioning them 2nd in the league.

Defensively, the Lakers rank 19th in points allowed per game with an average of 117.4. They force 15.1 turnovers and allow the opposition to shoot 48.4% from the field (26th in the league). Opponent three-point shooting stands at 38.5% (407 of 1,056), and they allow 80.2% from the free-throw line. Los Angeles gives up an average of 27.7 assists and 40.1 rebounds, ranking them 23rd and 2nd in these categories, respectively.

What will be tonight’s parlay prediction?

Pick: Bet on Los Angeles (+3.5)