The Houston Rockets will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day 2025 in a key Western Conference clash. Both teams, sitting fourth and sixth in the standings, aim to end two-game losing streaks. LeBron James and Kevin Durant headline the star-studded affair at Crypto.com Arena.
The NBA's Christmas Day slate features a compelling Western Conference showdown between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. The game, airing on ABC and ESPN with streaming available on fubo, takes place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This marks the first of three meetings this season between the playoff contenders, who enter with records of 17-10 for the Rockets (sixth in the West) and 19-9 for the Lakers (fourth).
LeBron James and Kevin Durant, future Hall of Famers, renew their holiday rivalry, having faced off on Christmas Day multiple times across teams like the Heat-Thunder, Cavaliers-Warriors, and Lakers-Warriors. Now with James on the Lakers and Durant in his first season with the Rockets, the matchup extends beyond them to emerging talents such as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for Los Angeles, and Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson for Houston.
Both squads are looking to snap two-game skids. The Lakers have been hampered by injuries, with Luka Dončić missing a recent game, DeAndre Ayton and Austin Reaves returning from brief absences, and James approaching 41 years old. The Rockets, known for their physicality, hold a slight edge as 3-point favorites, with an over/under of around 230 points.
Betting insights highlight Durant's strong form, averaging 30.2 points plus rebounds and projected for 30.6 against the Lakers, supporting an over on his 29.5 combined line. James, despite a recent hot streak, is expected to fall under 27.5 points plus assists at 25.7. The total points over 229.5 is favored in simulations, hitting in 65.1% of runs, given both teams' top-10 scoring ranks and overs records (Rockets 17-10, Lakers 19-9).
Additional props include Reed Sheppard exceeding 2.5 three-pointers, capitalizing on the Lakers' defensive vulnerabilities against quick guards.
