Rockets vs. Lakers odds, line: Proven model reveals Game 3 picks for NBA playoff matchup on Tuesday, April 21

Game 3 of Lakers vs. Rockets in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs is set for Friday after the Lakers defended their home court and built a 2-0 series lead. The Rockets, however, remain the series favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook, and they'll hope a healthier Kevin Durant can help them flip the momentum at home. Durant (knee) missed Game 1 before returning with 23 points in Game 2. Luka Doncic (hamstring) will remain out for L.A., while more updates on Austin Reaves (oblique) and Durant will come when the official injury report is revealed for Game 3. 

Tipoff is at 8 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston. The latest Rockets vs. Lakers odds have Houston as a 9.5-point favorite, while the over/under for total points scored is 205.5.

Before making any Lakers vs. Rockets picks, you NEED to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

SportsLine's model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 24-9 roll (73%) on top-rated NBA spread picks. Anyone following could have seen HUGE returns!

The model has simulated Rockets vs. Lakers 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time!

Who wins Rockets vs. Lakers, and which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Rockets vs. Lakers spread you should be all over, all from the model on a 24-9 roll (73%) on top-rated NBA picks!