Game 5 will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 30, at 13:00 AEST.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Lakers to win

Value bet: Lakers in the handicap

Long shot: Marcus Smart to have 6+ assists

Betting Preview

The Lakers have enjoyed their series against the Rockets thus far, having won the first three games before the Rockets won the most recent.

As the #4 seeds, they started their series at home with back-to-back victories, winning 107-98 and 101-94. They would then follow that up with a victory in Game 3 in Houston, 112-108. 

The Rockets would make sure it wouldn’t be a clean sweep and give themselves some hope of remaining in the NBA Playoffs with a 115-96 victory in Game 4.

They’ll need another big-time performance when they head back to California; if they don’t’, it will be the Lakers who will go on to face the #1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder (who swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0).

Betting Markets to Watch

However, things don’t look too positive for the Rockets when it comes to playoff basketball in Los Angeles. 

The Lakers have won each of their last eight Western Conference First Round home games against the Rockets. It’s a reason why the Purple & Gold are considered the early betting favourites in this game.

We think there might be more value worth exploring in the handicap market for the Lakers over their moneyline, though. They’ve been set a line of -2.5, which the Lakers have covered in each of their last four home games. 

With the odds slightly longer than the moneyline, we think this offers good value to consider.

Further value could be found in the 1st half winner market, with the Los Angeles Lakers having won the first half in nine of their last 10 home games. We think it’s likely that this trend continues in this upcoming clash.

For more potential value, the total points market is also worth considering. The line has been set at 208.5 points. 

The under offers potential value to bettors, as seven of the Lakers' last eight home games have gone under the total match points line.

Our Prediction

Check the latest NBA Lakers vs Rockets betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction is that the Los Angeles Lakers are likely winners. We think their record against the Rockets at home in playoff basketball is too hard to ignore, as were the two wins in LA earlier in the series.

Our long shot is for Marcus Smart to have 6+ assists, as he has recorded seven or more assists in each of the Lakers' last four home games.