Where to watch Lakers vs. Rockets: TV channel, live stream, odds, time
No matter where they play, LeBron James and Kevin Durant seem to find each other on Christmas Day. They competed against each other on Christmas as members of the Heat and Thunder. They did it again when James joined the Cavaliers and Durant joined the Warriors. When James flew west to Hollywood, he faced Durant’s Warriors in another holiday showdown. If not for an injury, Durant would have joined his Nets against the Lakers in 2021. Now here we are again. The Lakers and Rockets represent their teams’ fifth unique matchup on Christmas Day.
Well… “their” teams isn’t quite the descriptor it used to be. Although James and Durant are still stars, they are now supported but by younger, big-name players. It’s not just James versus Durant. It’s Luka Dončić against Alperen Sengun. It’s Austin Reaves versus Amen Thompson. These are two members of the Western Conference’s elite facing off with major playoff implications.
So let’s get ready for one of the best games on the Christmas list with some best bets. Below are our picks for the spread and the best prop bet in the game.
Bold predictions for every NBA Christmas Day game: Thunder-Spurs tension, Curry burst and more
Jack Maloney
Rockets at Lakers: Where to Watch
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | Date: Thursday December 25
- Location: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN | Live Stream: fubo (Try for free)
- Odds: Rockets -3, O/U: 230.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Rockets at Lakers: predictions, odds, best bets
The Lakers are in real trouble right now. Luka Dončić missed Tuesday’s match. DeAndre Ayton just returned from a brief injury absence. So does Austin Reaves, and LeBron James is almost 41, so we can assume he’s not 100% anymore. This is exactly where you don’t want to go into a matchup against the ultra-physical Rockets. The Lakers have struggled against bigger, athletic teams all season. This is their weakness. Until they prove they can overcome it, I expect the Rockets to bully them in this one. The choice: Rockets -3
The Lakers have holes all over their defense, but nowhere is this more glaring than in the backcourt. They’re incredibly vulnerable against smaller, quicker guards, and only the Clippers and Jazz allow a higher 3-point percentage on 3s above the break. In other words, I expect the Lakers to build their game plan around stopping the Rockets in the paint, and in doing so, Reed Sheppard will have a field day. The pick: Reed Sheppard on 2.5 3s
