The two teams will meet in Houston for the sixth contest, with the Lakers leading 3-2, on Saturday, May 2 (12:30 AEST).

A meeting against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals is up for grabs.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Lakers to win

Value bet: Lakers in the handicap

Long shot: Rui Hachimura to have first basket

Betting Preview

The Houston Rockets will enter this game as the form team, having won the last two games.

However, they’ve done so when their backs have been up against the wall, after the Lakers took a 3-0 lead.

That included a victory in Game 3 in Houston, albeit in a tight contest that required the Purple & Gold to be at their very best.

Still, with the offence and star power that they boast, they’ll be a threat when heading into Game 6, even without Luka Doncic.

Let’s take a look at how the series has gone so far to try and identify potential betting value below:

• Game 1: Lakers won 107-98 in Los Angeles
• Game 2: Lakers won 101-94 in Los Angeles
• Game 3: Lakers won 112-108 in Houston
• Game 4: Rockets won 115-96 in Houston
• Game 5: Rockets won 99-93 in Los Angeles

Betting Markets to Watch

With the betting odds having the Lakers as underdogs, we think there’s potential value to be had in the Purple and Gold to win.

The Lakers have won five of their last six games as underdogs, while they already boast a win in Houston in this NBA Playoff series.

The Lakers’ handicap (+3.5) offers value in this game, as the Rockets have failed to cover the line in each of their last five home games after winning as underdogs.

Even if the Lakers are forced into a Game 7, there’s a good chance that they’ll cover the spread in this one.

Another market that offers value is the ‘1st Half Winner’, with the Lakers starting faster than Houston. The underdogs have won the first half in six of the Rockets' last seven playoff games.

Rui Hachimura has scored 12+ points in each of the Lakers' last 10 games, meaning he offers value to have 10+ points in this game.

Our Prediction

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

We think the Lakers offer value as underdogs to win the game and will likely do so.

They’ve won in Houston already, and with all the pressure on the Rockets to win, they could look to exploit that.

Rui Hachimura’s scoring exploits offer a long shot opportunity.

We think there’s value in him scoring the first basket, as he has scored the first basket in three of the Lakers' last four playoff road games.