Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, 4/11/2025 Preview and Pick

Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Friday, April 11, 2025

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Spectrum Sportsnet

The Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) welcome the Houston Rockets (52-28) at Crypto.com Arena on Friday.

The Rockets stepped onto the hardwood against the Clippers and ended up losing by a score of 134-117 in their last game. Houston ended the game having earned a 51.1% FG percentage (45 of 88) and knocked down 20 of 40 shots from beyond the perimeter. At the free throw line, the Rockets buried 7 of 10 attempts for a rate of 70.0%. Pertaining to getting rebounds, they compiled a total of 36 with 7 of them being offensive. They also dished out 24 dimes in this contest in addition to forcing the opposition into 12 turnovers and earning 7 steals. Regarding defense, Houston allowed their opponent to shoot 53.3% from the field on 48 of 90 shooting. Los Angeles doled out 33 dimes and had 10 steals in this matchup. Furthermore, Los Angeles totaled 43 rebounds (11 offensive, 32 defensive) and added 4 blocks. Los Angeles finished the game shooting 100.0% when shooting free throws by making 19 of their 19 shots. They also converted 19 of 37 shots from long range. In regard to fouls, the Rockets finished with 14 while the Clippers recorded 11 fouls.

Reed Sheppard is someone who was a contributor for the game. Sheppard finished shooting 50.0% from the floor and also totaled 4 dimes. He saw the court for 37 minutes and also pulled down 5 boards. He walked away with 20 points on 7 out of 14 shooting.

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Houston heads into this game with a win-loss record of 52-28 for the campaign. They average 114.4 pts per contest (13th in the league) while shooting 45.5% from the field. The Rockets are hitting 35.3% on shots from distance (1,008 of 2,853) and 73.9% from the free throw line. As a team, Houston is pulling in 48.7 boards per contest and has accounted for 1,860 dimes so far this season, which is 28th in the league in terms of passing. They turn it over 13.9 times per game and as a group they commit 19.0 fouls per contest.

When they are on the defensive end, the Rockets are forcing their opponents into 14.4 turnovers per game while drawing 19.4 personal fouls. They are relinquishing 35.5% on shots from downtown and they are 5th in the league in PPG allowed (109.2). The Rockets defense is allowing a shooting percentage of 45.6% (3,224 of 7,069) and they surrender 42.1 rebounds per contest as a basketball team. They are currently ranked 2nd in the league in allowing assists to the opposition with 1,870 surrendered so far this year.

The last time they took the court, the Lakers got the win with a final of 112-97 when they played the Mavericks. When talking about attacking the glass, Los Angeles permitted Dallas to grab 38 in total (9 offensive). They finished 34.6% from distance by shooting 9 of 26 and ended up going 16 out of 23 from the free throw line (69.6%). The Lakers permitted the Mavericks to convert 36 of their 72 tries from the field which had them sitting at 50.0% in this matchup. When the final whistle was blown, the Lakers finished the game shooting 42 out of 90 from the floor which gave them a rate of 46.7%. Pertaining to shooting from distance, Los Angeles converted 12 out of 36 tries (33.3%). They were able to knock down 16 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 76.2%. The Mavericks committed 14 personal fouls in this matchup which took the Lakers to the charity stripe for 21 attempts. They also turned it over 12 times, while recording 14 steals in the game. The Lakers were able to collect 24 defensive rebounds and 15 offensive boards for a total of 39 in the game.

Luka Doncic was important for the Lakers for this contest. Doncic totaled 45 points in his 38 mins on the court and had 6 dimes in the matchup. He made 16 of 28 for this game for a field goal percentage of 57.1%, and tallied 8 rebounds.

Los Angeles has a record of 49-31 for the campaign. The Lakers are committing 17.2 personal fouls every game and they shoot 78.9% from the charity stripe. They are getting an assist 26.0 times per contest (18th in the league) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.9 times per game. Los Angeles has accounted for 9,077 pts so far this year (113.5 per game) and they snag 42.4 rebounds per game. When it comes to offense, the Lakers are shooting 47.8% from the field, which is ranked 9th in the NBA.

The Lakers on the defensive end are ranked 11th in basketball in PPG surrendered with 112.3. They are forcing 13.6 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 46.4% from the field (10th in the league). The Los Angeles defense gives up 35.6% on shots from beyond the arc (1,079 of 3,031) and opponents are knocking down 77.9% of their shots from the free throw line. They have conceded 27.3 dimes and 42.9 rebounds per game, which is ranked 22nd and 8th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Houston

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