Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to snap their run of two back-to-back home defeats when they go head to head with the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
The Rockets journey to the Crypto.com Arena, where they have lost each of their last eight visits since a 112-97 victory in the playoffs back in September 2020, and will aim to end this five-year run.
Match preview
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Los Angeles Lakers staked their claim for a place in the playoffs as they held on to see out a thrilling 134-127 victory over fellow Western Conference contenders the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Saturday night.
While Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 53 points for Memphis, Austin Reeves knocked down 31 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field to lead the Lakers while adding seven rebounds and eight assists in 37 minutes of action.
It was a combined team effort from the visitors as Luka Doncic tallied 29 points and was one assist shy of his 22nd double-double of the campaign while LeBron James scored 25 points to go with eight assists and six rebounds.
JJ Redick's men have picked up two wins from their most recent three games within the last four days — with a narrow 119-117 defeat against the Chicago Bulls on March 28 sandwiched between the two victories — having lost each of the previous four matches preceding this run.
The Los Angeles Lakers now hold a 45-29 record from their 74 matches so far to sit fourth in the Western Conference standings, just three wins above the Golden State Warriors just outside the automatic playoff places.
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Houston Rockets, on the other hand, continued their strong end to the regular season as they rolled past Utah Jazz 121-110 when the two sides squared off at the Delta Center on Friday.
Alperen Sengun dropped a 33-point 10-rebound double-double to finish as one of seven Rockets players with double-digit points, including Jalen Green, who knocked down 21 points on 40% FG, while Amen Thompson and Tari Eason knocked down 15 points each.
The Houston Rockets have now picked up 11 wins from their most recent 12 outings within the last three weeks, seeing off the likes of Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks — their only defeat in that time came on March 24 when they were beaten 116-111 by Eastern Conference powerhouse Denver Nuggets.
With just eight games to go in the 2024-25 regular-season campaign, Ime Udoka's men are well on course to secure a playoff spot as they currently sit second in the West with a 48-26 record, five games above the Warriors in seventh place.
Before the Rockets take on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena, where they have lost their last eight visits, they will look to secure a fifth road win on the spin when they visit the Footprint Center to face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night.
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Team News
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Los Angeles Lakers remain without the services of veteran forward Maxi Kleber, who has been sidelined since early February after undergoing surgery over a right foot injury.
Barring any late fitness issues, Kleber is the only guaranteed absentee for the Lakers, giving Redick the luxury of a relatively full house to select from on Monday.
As for the Houston Rockets, 23-year-old forward Eason will play no part in Sunday's clash against the Phoenix Suns due to overload but should suit up for the trip to Los Angeles.
Reed Sheppard has missed each of the last 10 matches since sustaining a thumb injury against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 7 and the 20-year-old guard is also a doubt for the visitors.
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting 5:
Reeves, Doncic, Hayes, Hachimura, LeBron
Houston Rockets possible starting 5:
Green, VanVleet, Sengun, Thompson, Brooks
We say: Los Angeles Lakers to win by 5+ points.
While the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled for consistency of late, they rallied to secure a hard-fought victory over a solid Memphis Grizzlies side last time out and could give them the needed confidence to see out the season on a strong note.
Houston Rockets have held their own against playoff contenders in recent weeks and will fancy their chances against the Lakers, but we predict that Redick's side will make the most of their home-court advantage and come away with the desired result.
Joshua Ojele
