The edge goes to the Lakers at home against the Rockets on Thursday, February 18, at about 62%. That is a real edge, but the Rockets are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 62%, with a projected score of Houston Rockets 114, Los Angeles Lakers 117. The rating gap is 13 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 38 times in 100 games like this, the Rockets would win.
Recent form
The Rockets are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3. The Lakers are 3-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2.
The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Rockets score 121 a game and allow 111.3. The Lakers score 128 and allow 115. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 118 for the Rockets and 119.7 for the Lakers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Rockets' offense is the stronger unit against the Lakers' defense.
The Lakers should find points against the Rockets' defense, which has been giving up 111.3.
Injuries to watch
Out: Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Quadir Copeland (HOU), Julian Phillips (HOU), Cameron Carr (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026, and Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 27, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Marcus Smart (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Lakers lead 8-4, with the Lakers outscoring the Rockets by an average of 3.4 points per game. The last meeting was LAL 98, HOU 78.