Lakers vs. Rockets Preview: Back-to-back matchups
yahoo - 3/16/2026 7:17:25 AM - GMT (+2 )
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game on December 25, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After winning every matchup during their five-game homestand, the Lakers (42-25) are back on the road, where they will play two crucial games against the Houston Rockets (41-25). This will be the final matchups between both teams this season.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

When: 6:30 p.m. PT, Mar 16

Where: Toyota Center

Watch: Peacock, NBC Sports, Spectrum SportsNet

If it feels like every Lakers game has been crucial as of late, that’s because it has. LA is just a game above their next opponent. So, the winner of Monday’s contest will automatically claim the third seed in the Western Conference.

The Rockets embarrassed the Lakers on Christmas Day, and LA needs to win both games against Houston if they want to win the season series and own the tiebreaker over them. Fortunately, Los Angeles is playing its best basketball of the year.

Led by the trio of Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers will face a Rockets team that’s built with a ton of size and athleticism. Note that they’re top 10 in the league in both offense and defense and that’s the kind of team the Lakers have had trouble with all season. It’ll be interesting to see if LA, in its current form, can conquer Houston’s defense.

On the other side of the ball, the key to stopping the Rockets’ offense is to make sure Kevin Durant — who is averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game — isn’t the best player on the floor.

It’ll also be nice if the Lakers can contain Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün to the point that they don’t play to their usual standards. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s basketball at this time of the year.

Let’s see if the Lakers can draw first blood in the first matchup against the Rockets on Monday.

Notes and Updates
  • For the Lakers’ injury report, Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is out.
  • As for the Rockets, Fred VanVleet (ACL recovery), Jae’Sean Tate (knee sprain) and Steven Adams (ankle surgery) are out.
  • Alperen Şengün (lower back pain) is questionable.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.



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