Lakers vs Rockets Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 4

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The Los Angeles Lakers came through with a clutch victory in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 lead, and the Houston Rockets will look to stave off elimination when they host Game 4 at Toyota Center on Sunday.

Marcus Smart has been excellent this postseason, and my Lakers vs. Rockets predictions call for him to keep the momentum going as LA sweeps and advances to the Western Conference semifinals.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Sunday’s Game 4.

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Lakers vs Rockets prediction

Lakers vs Rockets best bet: Marcus Smart Over 16.5 points+assists (-110)

Marcus Smart has played tremendously well since returning from a nine-game absence. He logged 18 minutes off the bench in his return, and he’s started four straight games dating back to the season finale.

Smart has been instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason success, and I expect that to continue in Game 4.

Through the first three games of the series, Smart has averaged 28.6 points+assists while logging 36 minutes per game. His usage has increased from 15.1 in the regular season to 23.5 in the postseason.

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He finished with 23 points+assists in Game 1 and followed it up with 32 and 31 in Games 2 and 3, respectively.

Smart was instrumental in the Game 3 come-from-behind victory, stealing the ball and knocking down three free throws to cut the lead to three, eventually leading to a LeBron James game-tying triple in the final seconds of regulation.

The Houston Rockets’ defense has been poor and undisciplined in the postseason. The Rockets have surrendered the third-most free-throw attempts (28.7), third-most assists (26), and the highest three-point percentage (46.1).

Houston’s 110.3 defensive rating ranks 10th, and the team has allowed the eighth-most points (106.7).

Smart has averaged 8.3 assists and knocked down 8-of-16 triples through the first three games of the series, and the matchup with Houston sets him up favorably to have another successful performance as a scorer and facilitator.

Lakers vs Rockets same-game parlay

The Rockets are in total…

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Publish date : 2026-04-25 18:37:00

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