Lakers vs. Rockets Prediction, Picks and Odds

Our detailed prediction and analysis for the Lakers vs. Rockets NBA game on March 18, 2026 is featured below. Drawing from 10,000 game simulations, we provide expert picks, betting odds, and insights.
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NBA
Lakers
124
116
Toyota Center
Rockets
Toyota Center
TEAM1234T
Lakers
35 32 37 16 124
Rockets
26 29 50 8 116
Live Probabilities
Win %
  • Lakers
    >99%
  • Rockets
    <1%
Win Probability
TEAM1234T
Lakers
35 32 37 16 124
Rockets
26 29 50 8 116
Q4 00:09 Rockets misses three point jump shot
Q4 00:22 Rockets makes three point jump shot
Q4 00:58 Lakers makes three point jump shot
Q4 1:22 LeBron James makes two point jump shot (Luka Doncic assists)
Q4 1:56 Lakers misses three point jump shot
Q4 2:18 Rockets misses three point jump shot
Q4 2:36 Lakers makes two point jump shot
Q4 2:53 Amen Thompson makes two point jump shot (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)
Q4 2:58 Alperen Sengun misses two point jump shot
Q4 3:14 Lakers makes three point jump shot
Play by Play
  1. Q4 00:00
    End of 4th Quarter.
  2. Q4 00:08
    LeBron James defensive rebound
  3. Q4 00:09
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  4. Q4 00:20
    +1
    Austin Reaves makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  5. Q4 00:20
    +1
    Austin Reaves makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  6. Q4 00:20
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Austin Reaves)
  7. Q4 00:20
    Reed Sheppard personal foul (Take) (Austin Reaves draws the foul)
  8. Q4 00:22
    +3
    Rockets makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  9. Q4 00:30
    Tari Eason personal foul (Luka Doncic draws the foul)
  10. Q4 00:30
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  11. Q4 00:30
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant)
  12. Q4 00:30
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  13. Q4 00:32
    Josh Okogie personal foul
  14. Q4 00:32
    Rockets 60 second timeout
  15. Q4 00:32
    Instant replay
  16. Q4 00:32
    Instant replay
  17. Q4 00:32
    Lakers lineup change (Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Austin Reaves)
  18. Q4 00:39
    Amen Thompson personal foul (Marcus Smart draws the foul)
  19. Q4 00:39
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  20. Q4 00:39
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  21. Q4 00:39
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  22. Q4 00:53
    Marcus Smart personal foul
  23. Q4 00:53
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  24. Q4 00:53
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  25. Q4 00:53
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  26. Q4 00:58
    +3
    Lakers makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  27. Q4 00:58
    Rockets 60 second timeout
  28. Q4 1:19
    Kevin Durant turnover (out of bounds bad pass)
  29. Q4 1:22
    +2
    LeBron James makes two point jump shot (Luka Doncic assists)
    120-113
  30. Q4 1:40
    Alperen Sengun turnover
  31. Q4 1:51
    Luka Doncic personal foul (Alperen Sengun draws the foul)
  32. Q4 1:51
    Lakers lineup change (Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  33. Q4 1:55
    Kevin Durant defensive rebound
  34. Q4 1:56
    Lakers misses three point jump shot
  35. Q4 2:16
    Austin Reaves defensive rebound
  36. Q4 2:18
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  37. Q4 2:36
    +2
    Lakers makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  38. Q4 2:53
    +2
    Amen Thompson makes two point jump shot (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)
    113-111
  39. Q4 2:54
    Jabari Smith Jr. offensive rebound
  40. Q4 2:58
    Alperen Sengun misses two point jump shot
  41. Q4 3:12
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant)
  42. Q4 3:12
    Lakers 60 second timeout
  43. Q4 3:12
    Rockets 60 second timeout
  44. Q4 3:14
    +3
    Lakers makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  45. Q4 3:24
    Deandre Ayton defensive rebound
  46. Q4 3:25
    Tari Eason misses two point pullup jump shot
  47. Q4 3:54
    +3
    Rui Hachimura makes three point jump shot (Luka Doncic assists)
    110-109
  48. Q4 4:14
    +2
    Amen Thompson makes two point driving finger roll layup
    107-109
  49. Q4 4:21
    Amen Thompson defensive rebound
  50. Q4 4:22
    Lakers misses three point jump shot
  51. Q4 4:47
    +2
    Amen Thompson makes two point cutting dunk (Kevin Durant assists)
    107-109
  52. Q4 5:03
    +2
    Luka Doncic makes two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot
    120-113
  53. Q4 5:18
    Lakers 60 second timeout
  54. Q4 5:18
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  55. Q4 5:18
    Deandre Ayton defensive rebound
  56. Q4 5:20
    Tari Eason misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot
  57. Q4 5:24
    Dorian Finney-Smith offensive rebound
  58. Q4 5:27
    Jabari Smith Jr. misses three point pullup jump shot
  59. Q4 5:39
    Jabari Smith Jr. personal foul
  60. Q4 5:39
    Instant replay (Request)
  61. Q4 5:39
    Luka Doncic defensive rebound
  62. Q4 5:39
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  63. Q4 5:39
    LeBron James misses regular free throw 1 of 2
  64. Q4 5:39
    Lakers offensive rebound
  65. Q4 5:39
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton)
  66. Q4 5:39
    +1
    LeBron James makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  67. Q4 5:43
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  68. Q4 5:50
    Amen Thompson offensive rebound
  69. Q4 5:52
    Rockets misses two point jump shot
  70. Q4 6:17
    +2
    LeBron James makes two point fadeaway jump shot
    104-105
  71. Q4 6:39
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  72. Q4 6:41
    Alperen Sengun offensive rebound
  73. Q4 6:43
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  74. Q4 6:57
    Jake LaRavia personal foul (Alperen Sengun draws the foul)
  75. Q4 6:57
    Lakers lineup change (Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  76. Q4 6:59
    Luka Doncic turnover (bad pass) (Alperen Sengun steals)
  77. Q4 7:14
    +3
    Kevin Durant makes three point jump shot (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)
    104-105
  78. Q4 7:24
    Lakers turnover
  79. Q4 7:43
    +2
    Reed Sheppard makes two point driving finger roll layup
    102-100
  80. Q4 7:52
    Rockets lineup change (Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  81. Q4 7:52
    Lakers lineup change (Luka Doncic, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  82. Q4 7:52
    Austin Reaves personal foul (Jabari Smith Jr. draws the foul)
  83. Q4 7:52
    Lakers lineup change (Luka Doncic, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  84. Q4 7:52
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant)
  85. Q4 8:02
    LeBron James turnover (out of bounds bad pass)
  86. Q4 8:03
    Stoppage (Out of bounds)
  87. Q4 8:04
    Jake LaRavia offensive rebound
  88. Q4 8:05
    Austin Reaves misses two point driving floating jump shot
  89. Q4 8:25
    +2
    Jabari Smith Jr. makes two point jump shot (Alperen Sengun assists)
    102-100
  90. Q4 8:40
    +2
    Deandre Ayton makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  91. Q4 8:40
    Rockets 60 second timeout
  92. Q4 8:48
    Jake LaRavia defensive rebound
  93. Q4 8:51
    Deandre Ayton blocks Reed Sheppard's two point finger roll layup
  94. Q4 9:03
    +2
    Lakers makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  95. Q4 9:09
    Alperen Sengun misses two point jump shot
  96. Q4 9:09
    LeBron James defensive rebound
  97. Q4 9:30
    +2
    Lakers makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  98. Q4 9:53
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    104-105
  99. Q4 9:56
    Luke Kennard turnover
  100. Q4 10:12
    Lakers personal foul
  101. Q4 10:12
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  102. Q4 10:12
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  103. Q4 10:28
    +2
    Austin Reaves makes two point driving finger roll layup
    120-113
  104. Q4 10:33
    Luke Kennard offensive rebound
  105. Q4 10:35
    Lakers misses two point jump shot
  106. Q4 10:38
    Lakers offensive rebound
  107. Q4 10:38
    Stoppage (Out of bounds)
  108. Q4 10:39
    Tari Eason blocks LeBron James's two point driving layup
  109. Q4 10:56
    Austin Reaves defensive rebound
  110. Q4 10:59
    Rockets misses two point jump shot
  111. Q4 11:14
    +2
    Jake LaRavia makes two point running dunk (Deandre Ayton assists)
    120-113
  112. Q4 11:19
    Rockets turnover
  113. Q4 11:43
    +3
    Lakers makes three point jump shot
    92-92
  114. Q3 00:00
    Lakers offensive rebound
  115. Q3 00:00
    Luka Doncic misses three point stepback jump shot
  116. Q3 00:00
    End of 3rd Quarter.
  117. Q4 12:00
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason)
  118. Q4 12:00
    Lakers lineup change (Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  119. Q3 00:07
    Kevin Durant turnover (offensive foul)
  120. Q3 00:07
    Kevin Durant offensive foul (Marcus Smart draws the foul)
  121. Q3 00:07
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Austin Reaves)
  122. Q3 00:07
    Rockets lineup change (Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  123. Q3 00:15
    +2
    Luka Doncic makes two point driving finger roll layup
    89-92
  124. Q3 00:24
    Luka Doncic defensive rebound
  125. Q3 00:26
    Kevin Durant misses three point running pullup jump shot
  126. Q3 00:31
    Reed Sheppard defensive rebound
  127. Q3 00:33
    Lakers misses two point jump shot
  128. Q3 00:55
    +3
    Rockets makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  129. Q3 1:11
    Reed Sheppard defensive rebound
  130. Q3 1:13
    Luka Doncic misses regular free throw 2 of 2
  131. Q3 1:13
    Reed Sheppard personal foul (Luka Doncic draws the foul)
  132. Q3 1:13
    Rockets 60 second timeout
  133. Q3 1:13
    Rockets lineup change (Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
  134. Q3 1:13
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  135. Q3 1:16
    Luka Doncic defensive rebound
  136. Q3 1:17
    Josh Okogie misses two point jump shot
  137. Q3 1:20
    Josh Okogie offensive rebound
  138. Q3 1:23
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  139. Q3 1:45
    +3
    Lakers makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  140. Q3 2:04
    +2
    Jabari Smith Jr. makes two point running jump shot (Reed Sheppard assists)
    104-105
  141. Q3 2:08
    Marcus Smart turnover (bad pass) (Josh Okogie steals)
  142. Q3 2:37
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  143. Q3 2:43
    Josh Okogie defensive rebound
  144. Q3 2:45
    Lakers misses three point jump shot
  145. Q3 2:52
    Marcus Smart defensive rebound
  146. Q3 2:54
    Rockets misses three point jump shot
  147. Q3 3:07
    Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound
  148. Q3 3:07
    Josh Okogie personal foul (Luka Doncic draws the foul)
  149. Q3 3:07
    Josh Okogie turnover
  150. Q3 3:07
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  151. Q3 3:07
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  152. Q3 3:10
    Reed Sheppard misses three point running pullup jump shot
  153. Q3 3:14
    Luka Doncic turnover (Josh Okogie steals)
  154. Q3 3:16
    Luka Doncic defensive rebound
  155. Q3 3:20
    Lakers personal foul
  156. Q3 3:20
    Jabari Smith Jr. misses regular free throw 2 of 2
  157. Q3 3:20
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes)
  158. Q3 3:20
    +1
    Jabari Smith Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  159. Q3 3:32
    Alperen Sengun defensive rebound
  160. Q3 3:36
    Luke Kennard misses three point jump shot
  161. Q3 4:02
    +3
    Rockets makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  162. Q3 4:17
    +2
    LeBron James makes two point jump shot
    80-81
  163. Q3 4:17
    Rockets personal foul
  164. Q3 4:17
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes)
  165. Q3 4:17
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Josh Okogie, Reed Sheppard, Kevin Durant)
  166. Q3 4:17
    +1
    LeBron James makes regular free throw 1 of 1
    81-81
  167. Q3 4:31
    Lakers personal foul
  168. Q3 4:31
    Kevin Durant misses regular free throw 1 of 2
  169. Q3 4:31
    Rockets offensive rebound
  170. Q3 4:31
    +1
    Kevin Durant makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    120-113
  171. Q3 4:31
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Josh Okogie, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant)
  172. Q3 4:41
    Kevin Durant personal foul (Austin Reaves draws the foul)
  173. Q3 4:41
    +1
    Austin Reaves makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    81-81
  174. Q3 4:41
    +1
    Austin Reaves makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    81-81
  175. Q3 4:41
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes)
  176. Q3 4:53
    +2
    Kevin Durant makes two point pullup jump shot (Alperen Sengun assists)
    81-81
  177. Q3 4:53
    Lakers personal foul
  178. Q3 4:53
    +1
    Kevin Durant makes regular free throw 1 of 1
    104-105
  179. Q3 5:08
    +2
    Lakers makes two point jump shot
    104-105
  180. Q3 5:29
    Rockets turnover
  181. Q3 5:29
    Lakers lineup change (Rui Hachimura, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves)
  182. Q3 5:38
    Kevin Durant defensive rebound
  183. Q3 5:39
    Marcus Smart misses three point bank jump shot
  184. Q3 5:56
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    104-105
  185. Q3 6:09
    +2
    Lakers makes two point jump shot
    74-75
  186. Q3 6:09
    Stoppage (Other)
  187. Q3 6:35
    +2
    Alperen Sengun makes two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot
    74-75
  188. Q3 6:48
    Lakers turnover
  189. Q3 7:05
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    72-73
  190. Q3 7:05
    Lakers 60 second timeout
  191. Q3 7:13
    Lakers personal foul
  192. Q3 7:13
    LeBron James turnover (offensive foul)
  193. Q3 7:30
    Austin Reaves shooting foul (Amen Thompson draws the foul)
  194. Q3 7:30
    +1
    Amen Thompson makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    104-105
  195. Q3 7:30
    +1
    Amen Thompson makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    104-105
  196. Q3 7:30
    Lakers turnover
  197. Q3 7:44
    Deandre Ayton personal foul (Alperen Sengun draws the foul)
  198. Q3 7:44
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    72-73
  199. Q3 7:44
    +1
    Alperen Sengun makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    120-113
  200. Q3 7:48
    Amen Thompson offensive rebound
  201. Q3 7:50
    Rockets misses two point jump shot
  202. Q3 7:54
    Stoppage (Out of bounds)
  203. Q3 8:17
    Tari Eason personal foul
  204. Q3 8:17
    Luka Doncic misses regular free throw 1 of 2
  205. Q3 8:17
    +1
    Luka Doncic makes regular free throw 2 of 2
    81-81
  206. Q3 8:17
    Lakers offensive rebound
  207. Q3 8:29
    +2
    Alperen Sengun makes two point jump shot
    72-73
  208. Q3 8:41
    Deandre Ayton personal foul (Tari Eason draws the foul)
  209. Q3 8:41
    Tari Eason misses two point driving layup
  210. Q3 8:41
    Tari Eason offensive rebound
  211. Q3 8:47
    Lakers offensive rebound
  212. Q3 8:47
    Lakers misses three point jump shot
  213. Q3 8:48
    Lakers turnover (shot clock violation)
  214. Q3 8:56
    Stoppage (Out of bounds)
  215. Q3 9:16
    +3
    Jabari Smith Jr. makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  216. Q3 9:36
    +3
    Lakers makes three point jump shot
    120-113
  217. Q3 9:38
    Jabari Smith Jr. personal foul
  218. Q3 9:55
    +2
    Rockets makes two point jump shot
    120-113
  219. Q3 10:02
    Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound
  220. Q3 10:03
    Luka Doncic misses two point jump shot
  221. Q3 10:13
    LeBron James defensive rebound
  222. Q3 10:14
    Rockets misses two point jump shot
  223. Q3 10:37
    Alperen Sengun personal foul
  224. Q3 10:37
    +1
    Austin Reaves makes regular free throw 1 of 2
    72-73
  225. Q3 10:37
    Austin Reaves misses regular free throw 2 of 2
  226. Q3 10:37
    Amen Thompson defensive rebound
  227. Q3 10:55
    +3
    Kevin Durant makes three point running pullup jump shot
    72-73
  228. Q3 11:01
    Deandre Ayton turnover
  229. Q3 11:08
    Austin Reaves defensive rebound
  230. Q3 11:10
    Alperen Sengun misses two point jump shot
  231. Q3 11:18
    Amen Thompson defensive rebound
  232. Q3 11:20
    Lakers misses three point jump shot
  233. Q3 11:38
    +2
    Kevin Durant makes two point jump shot
    74-75
  234. Q3 11:46
    Stoppage (Equipment malfunction)
  235. Q3 11:47
    Stoppage (Out of bounds)
  236. Q2 00:00
    Amen Thompson misses three point jump shot
  237. Q2 00:00
    End of 1st Half.
  238. Q3 12:00
    Rockets lineup change (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant)
Box Score
Lakers
PosPlayerPts
Rockets
PosPlayerPts

Lakers vs. Rockets: Detailed Breakdown

Matchup Overview

  • Teams: Lakers vs. Rockets
  • Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  • Time: 9:30 PM ET
  • Venue: Toyota Center

Current Betting Odds

  • Spread: Rockets favored at -2.5
  • Total (Over/Under): 213.5
  • Moneyline Odds: Lakers 46¢, Rockets 54¢

Dimers' Win Probabilities

  • Lakers: 42%
  • Rockets: 58%

Dimers' predictive model, renowned for its accuracy, assesses each team's chances by simulating the outcome of the game 10,000 times. This method provides a precise and unbiased view.

Projected Final Score

Our predicted final score for this NBA matchup is Lakers 111-113 Rockets.

This prediction is based on each team's average score following 10,000 game simulations.

Our Prediction: Who Wins?

After extensive simulations, our model gives the Lakers a win probability of 42%, while the Rockets have a win probability of 58%. Discover the best spread, over/under, and moneyline odds for the game on this page.

Summary

According to our analysis, the Rockets are more likely to beat the Lakers in the NBA game at Toyota Center on Thursday. Discover the best spread, over/under and moneyline odds, picks and probabilities for the game on this page.

Our Lakers vs. Rockets predictions, based on sophisticated simulations and current data, guide you in making informed decisions. Remember to bet responsibly and within your financial limits.

For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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For further insights, explore our expert NBA predictions and the best NBA bets today, while our in-depth analysis includes NBA props, NBA futures, NBA odds, and the latest NBA news.