On Christmas Day, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets clash at Crypto.com Arena for a high-profile matchup. This game might have more overall star power than any of the others on the NBA’s five-game slate on December 25, 2025. Keep reading for odds, picks, and player props for this game, and make sure you also check out our live VSiN programming for more analysis. Our talented hosts and analysts will surely spend some time talking about these games.
MORE: Head to the Pro Picks page for best bets from all of our VSiN hosts and analysts!
How To Watch Rockets vs. Lakers
When: Thursday, December 25th at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
Channel: ESPN / ABC
Rockets vs. Lakers Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publish. They can change. Look around for the best prices!
Moneyline: Rockets -135, Lakers +114
Spread: Rockets -2.5 (-108), Lakers +2.5 (-112)
Total: Over 231.5 (-105), Under 231.5 (-115)
Rockets vs. Lakers Analysis
This might be the toughest Christmas Day matchup to call. If Houston had a little more time to rest, I’d pretty easily be on the Rockets side of things. Houston is third in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating (119.8), which puts the team a little higher than seventh-ranked Los Angeles (117.8). The Rockets are also a much better defensive team. Houston is fifth in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (112.3), while Los Angeles is 24th (117.0). Also, over the last 10 games, the Lakers are 28th in raw defensive rating (123.5).
In theory, Houston should be able to score at will against Los Angeles, and the team should also be able to come away with a few extra stops when it matters most. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
Under Ime Udoka, the Rockets are 0-8 straight-up and 1-7 against the spread when playing a fourth road game in seven nights. If you want to throw that trend away, be my guest. However, the Rockets are coming off two ugly performances, losing to the Kings and Clippers earlier in the week. This looks like a team that is dying to get back to Texas, and that could end up doing Houston in.
The Lakers are actually in the exact spot the Rockets are waiting for. Los Angeles is returning home after a road trip, and that’s a situation the team has done very well in with JJ Redick on the sidelines. The Lakers are 13-6 SU and 15-4 ATS after playing three straight road games under Redick.
Houston can also struggle to keep players off the free throw line, which is a dangerous game to play against Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Rockets are 2-6 ATS under Udoka when facing teams that average 27.0 or more free throws per game. Well, if they’re careless and lazy swiping for the basketball in this one, they aren’t going to win this game.
Los Angeles also seems to level up when facing good teams. Under Redick, the Lakers are 15-6 SU and 17-4 ATS when facing teams with winning percentages between 60% and 70%. And perhaps that shouldn’t be too surprising. While this team has its deficiencies, Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James all perform well when the lights are bright.
Rockets vs. Lakers Player Props
Reed Sheppard Over 12.5 Points (-103)
Sheppard has cooled down a little over the last few weeks, but he’s good for an explosion every now and then. Well, this matchup offers him a real opportunity to turn in a good offensive performance. The Lakers are 23rd in the NBA when it comes to defending above-the-break 3s, where Sheppard scores 50% of his points. He’s an absolute sniper and should get some good looks from deep — whether we’re talking about catch-and-shoot opportunities or off-the-dribble attempts. I also think Sheppard will get to the rim in this game, as the Lakers are a little slow defending on the ball.
Rockets vs. Lakers Pick
Head over to the VSiN Pro Picks page before this one tips, as there’s a chance I throw in a parlay that includes this game and Timberwolves-Rockets. However, I am firing up the Sheppard play.
Bet: Sheppard Over 12.5 Points (-103)
