The fifth-seeded Houston Rockets and the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers start their 2026 Western Conference first-round series on Saturday in what should be a hard-fought tug of war. The Lakers, who will be shorthanded probably throughout the series, have been one of the best teams in the league since the All-Star break.  Meanwhile, the Rockets joined the Lakers as one of the hottest down the stretch.

No. 5 Rockets at No.4 Lakers Game 1: Preview, Prediction, Odds and Fantasy Picks

Los Angeles and Houston were in a battle for seeding positions down the stretch. The Lakers (53-29) ultimately secured the fourth seed, going 7-3 over the last 10 games, including their final three. As a result, the Lakers finished one game ahead of the Rockets. But  Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) don’t figure to be available in the series.

Houston (52-30) went 11-4 over the last 15 to assure itself of a top-6 spot. The Rockets, who won nine of ten, were expected to be one of the top teams in the conference. But Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams suffered season-ending injuries. VanVleet didn’t play at all this season, while Adams last played in April. Kevin Durant is the Rockets’ only true injury concern as he is dealing with a right knee contusion.

The Lakers defeated the Rockets 2-to-1 in the regular season. However, the Rockets outscored the Lakers 327-320 over the three games. The Rockets took the first game of the series on Christmas Day (119-94), though the Lakers won the last two games, 100-92 and 124-116.

Los Angeles leads the all-time series 152-91. This is the 10th time that the Lakers and Rockets have met in the playoffs. The Lakers have won six of the previous nine series, posting a 24-16 record in the 40 games. The Lakers have won four straight postseason series against the Rockets, though their last meeting was in the NBA Bubble.

Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers Game 1

Game Time: 8:30 p..m. (ET)

Place: Crypto.com Arena

Line: -5.0 Rockets

Over/Under: 207.5

Money Line: Rockets -215, Lakers +180

© Kirby Lee, Imagn Images