Lakers Defeat Rockets 98-78 in Playoff Matchup
Friday, May 1, 2026, 9:30 PM ET · Toyota Center (Houston)
Los Angeles Lakers 98, Houston Rockets 78, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets?
Los Angeles Lakers beat Houston Rockets 98-78 at Toyota Center (Houston) on May 1, 2026.
Who was favored in Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets?
Houston Rockets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a decisive playoff game, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a commanding victory over the Houston Rockets, winning 98-78 at the Toyota Center in Houston. This win allowed the Lakers to take the series 2-1, showcasing their strength in the postseason.
The Lakers entered the game with a strong away record of 53-29, while the Rockets had a solid home record of 52-30. Both teams had been performing well leading up to this matchup, with the Rockets boasting a recent home record of 9-1, averaging 123.6 points scored and allowing 108.4 points over their last ten games. The Lakers, on the other hand, had a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, averaging 116.2 points scored and allowing 112.2 points.
In the previous meetings this season, the Lakers had the upper hand, winning four out of six encounters against the Rockets. Their most recent matchup prior to this game was on March 19, 2026, where the Lakers won 124-116. This trend continued as the Lakers capitalized on their previous successes to dominate the game.
In terms of injuries, the Rockets faced challenges with key players. Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams were all listed as Day-To-Day, which could have impacted their performance and overall team cohesion. The Lakers, meanwhile, appeared to be healthier heading into the game.
The betting lines reflected the competitive nature of the matchup, with DraftKings setting the spread at HOU -5.5 and a total of 203.5 points. The odds for the home moneyline were -192.0, while the away moneyline was set at 160.0. This indicated that the Rockets were favored to win at home, but the Lakers' recent form suggested they were a formidable opponent.
As the game unfolded, the Lakers demonstrated their offensive prowess, particularly in the fourth quarter. Notable scoring plays included a 2-foot alley-oop dunk by Jaxson Hayes, assisted by LeBron James, that highlighted the Lakers' teamwork and execution. The Rockets struggled to keep pace, managing only 78 points in total.
The final score of 98-78 underscored the Lakers' dominance in this playoff matchup, allowing them to advance further in the postseason. Fans watching the game witnessed a display of skill from the Lakers, who effectively utilized their bench and maintained pressure throughout the game.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -5.5 | 203.5 o -112 / u -108 | Los Angeles Lakers +160 · Houston Rockets -192 |
Injury report
- Kevin DurantDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
- Fred VanVleetDay-To-DayKneeHouston Rockets
- Steven AdamsDay-To-DayAnkleHouston Rockets
Leaders
- PointsAmen Thompson18Houston Rockets
- AssistsAmen Thompson3Houston Rockets
- ReboundsJabari Smith Jr.12Houston Rockets
- PointsLeBron James28Los Angeles Lakers
- AssistsLeBron James8Los Angeles Lakers
- ReboundsDeandre Ayton16Los Angeles Lakers
Recent form
Houston Rockets
Last 10: 9-1Streak W1123.6 scored · 108.4 allowed per game5-1 at home
- W132-101vs Memphis GrizzliesApr 13
- L132-136vs Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 11
- W113-102vs Philadelphia 76ersApr 10
- W119-105at Phoenix SunsApr 8
- W117-116at Golden State WarriorsApr 6
- W140-106vs Utah JazzApr 4
- W119-113vs Milwaukee BucksApr 2
- W111-94vs New York KnicksApr 1
- W134-102at New Orleans PelicansMar 29
- W119-109at Memphis GrizzliesMar 28
Los Angeles Lakers
Last 10: 7-3Streak W3116.2 scored · 112.2 allowed per game2-2 away
- W131-107vs Utah JazzApr 13
- W101-73vs Phoenix SunsApr 11
- W119-103at Golden State WarriorsApr 10
- L87-123vs Oklahoma City ThunderApr 8
- L128-134at Dallas MavericksApr 5
- L96-139at Oklahoma City ThunderApr 3
- W127-113vs Cleveland CavaliersApr 1
- W120-101vs Washington WizardsMar 31
- W116-99vs Brooklyn NetsMar 28
- W137-130at Indiana PacersMar 25
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA Lakers | - | 29 | W3 | .646 | 53 |
| Phoenix | 8 | 37 | W1 | .549 | 45 |
| LA Clippers | 11 | 40 | W1 | .512 | 42 |
| Golden State | 16 | 45 | L3 | .451 | 37 |
| Sacramento | 31 | 60 | L1 | .268 | 22 |
| San Antonio | - | 20 | L1 | .756 | 62 |
| Houston | 10 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| New Orleans | 36 | 56 | L2 | .317 | 26 |
| Dallas | 36 | 56 | W1 | .317 | 26 |
| Memphis | 37 | 57 | L8 | .305 | 25 |
Box score
| Stat | Los Angeles Lakers | Houston Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 36-89 | 28-80 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 35 |
| Three-pointers | 12-28 | 5-28 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 18 |
| Free throws | 14-24 | 17-24 |
| Free throw % | 58 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 54 | 45 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 39 | 37 |
| Assists | 19 | 13 |
| Steals | 4 | 6 |
| Blocks | 9 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 19 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 46 | 44 |
| Fouls | 19 | 23 |
| Largest lead | 29 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 85 | 14 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter65-40Austin Reaves makes 9-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter65-41Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter65-42Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter65-44Amen Thompson makes 3-foot dunk (Aaron Holiday assists)
- 3rd Quarter65-45Jae'Sean Tate makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-45Deandre Ayton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-46Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-47Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter67-47Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter69-47Austin Reaves makes 6-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter69-49Jabari Smith Jr. makes 4-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter71-49Austin Reaves makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter71-51Amen Thompson makes 22-foot jumper (Tari Eason assists)
- 3rd Quarter71-52Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter71-53Alperen Sengun makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter71-55Alperen Sengun makes 10-foot two point shot (Josh Okogie assists)
- 4th Quarter74-55Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point jumper (Luke Kennard assists)
- 4th Quarter74-57Reed Sheppard makes 9-foot jumper (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)
- 4th Quarter76-57LeBron James makes 4-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter78-57Deandre Ayton makes tip shot
- 4th Quarter78-58Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter79-58Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter81-58Rui Hachimura makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
- 4th Quarter81-60Alperen Sengun makes tip in dunk
- 4th Quarter81-62Tari Eason makes 3-foot running dunk
- 4th Quarter83-62LeBron James makes 4-foot two point shot (Luke Kennard assists)
- 4th Quarter86-62Marcus Smart makes 25-foot three point jumper (Rui Hachimura assists)
- 4th Quarter87-62LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter88-62LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter88-65Reed Sheppard makes 29-foot three point jumper (Tari Eason assists)
- 4th Quarter91-65Marcus Smart makes 25-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)
- 4th Quarter91-67Amen Thompson makes 3-foot driving dunk
- 4th Quarter93-67Jaxson Hayes makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (LeBron James assists)
- 4th Quarter93-69Amen Thompson makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter96-69Nick Smith Jr. makes 27-foot running pullup jump shot (Bronny James assists)
- 4th Quarter98-69Adou Thiero makes tip in dunk
- 4th Quarter98-72Josh Okogie makes 25-foot three point jumper (Aaron Holiday assists)
- 4th Quarter98-74Jae'Sean Tate makes running layup
- 4th Quarter98-76Aaron Holiday makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter98-78Clint Capela makes two point shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Rockets, below favours Los Angeles Lakers.
Venue
- Toyota Center (Houston)Houston, TX
- Attendance18055
- OfficialsCurtis Blair, Kevin Cutler, Scott Foster, Karl Lane
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