Rockets vs Lakers Player Props to Bet on Christmas Day

• Kevin Durant gets to feast on the Lakers’ vulnerable perimeter defense allowing 38.5% from beyond the arc
• Austin Reaves has averaged 27.7 points per game in home games this season
• See the top Rockets vs Lakers player props to bet on Xmas Day 2025

The fourth game on the NBA Christmas Day slate is a heavyweight Western Conference showdown as the Houston Rockets (17-10, 9-8 away, 15-12 ATS, 17-9-1 O/U) travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers (19-9, 7-4 home, 16-12 ATS, 19-9 O/U) at crypto.com Arena at 8:00 pm ET with ABC providing the broadcast coverage.

The Rockets enter as 3.5-point road favorites despite facing a Lakers squad that boasts elite offensive efficiency and Houston’s thoroughly pedestrian road record. Houston arrives behind the stellar play of Kevin Durant and the emerging dominance of Alperen Sengun, while Los Angeles counters with the legendary production of LeBron James and the breakout campaign of Austin Reaves. With Luka Dončić’s injury status creating additional uncertainty, this matchup offers sharp bettors multiple angles to exploit across the player props market.

In the next section, I have set out the main Rockets vs Lakers player props for both starting lineups (over/under points, rebounds, assists, and made threes). Under the table, find my top Rockets vs Lakers prop picks for Dec. 25.

Rockets vs Lakers Player Props & Odds

Odds represent consensus lines at legal online sportsbooks /and are subject to change. Bookmark SBD’s NBA props page to see up-to-the-minute lines for every game.

Market Movement and Sharp Money Indicators

Durant’s Three-Point Prop Undervalued: The consensus line of 2.5 made threes carries significant juice toward the under (-183), suggesting public money expects a quiet night from deep. However, this creates plus-money value on the over (+137 consensus, but as long as +150), particularly considering Durant’s recent form and the matchup dynamics.

Reaves Line Discrepancies Create Opportunity: Notable variance exists across sportsbooks on Austin Reaves’ scoring total. While the consensus sits at 22.5 points, DraftKings and BetRivers offer this prop at just 18.5 points, creating a four-point arbitrage opportunity for bettors who favor his home scoring production.

Sengun’s Playmaking Recognition: The heavy juice on Alperen Sengun’s assists over 5.5 (-142) reflects the market’s acknowledgment of his expanded role as Houston’s primary facilitator. This line opened at 5.0, suggesting sharp money pushed it upwards, recognizing his increased usage in the Rockets’ offensive scheme.

Christmas Day Injury Report Impact

Luka Dončić Day-to-Day Status Creates Market Uncertainty
Dončić’s questionable designation with a leg injury that sidelined him December 23 represents the most significant variable affecting prop markets. His potential absence would dramatically increase usage rates for LeBron James and Austin Reaves, likely triggering upward line adjustments across multiple categories if he’s ruled out.

Lakers Depth Concerns with Multiple Questionable Players
Beyond Dončić, Rui Hachimura (groin) and Jaxson Hayes (ankle) are both listed as day-to-day for the Lakers. These potential absences could increase frontcourt minutes for Deandre Ayton while potentially boosting perimeter usage for healthy guards if rotation players are unavailable.

Best Player Props for Rockets vs Lakers

Pick #1: Kevin Durant Over 2.5 Made Threes (+150) at BetRivers

This represents a prime example of exploiting a direct statistical mismatch while securing hefty plus-money odds. The Lakers’ historically poor perimeter defense creates an ideal environment for Durant’s elite shooting, particularly given his recent hot streak from beyond the arc.

Supporting Trends:

• Durant has connected on 3+ threes in four of his last six games, shooting 54.6% from deep over that stretch.
• The Lakers allow the highest three-point percentage in the NBA (38.5%) while surrendering 14.5 makes per contest.
• Houston maintains a team three-point accuracy of 40.0%, suggesting systematic ball movement that creates quality looks.

The market’s heavy juice toward the under (-183) appears to reflect Durant’s season-long average of 2.0 makes rather than his recent uptick and this pristine matchup. Betting against the league’s worst three-point defense with a shooter of Durant’s caliber at plus-money represents exceptional value.

Austin Reaves Over 18.5 Points (-117) at BetRivers

Reaves has established himself as a completely different offensive player in home settings, with his crypto.com Arena production creating a substantial statistical edge over this betting total.

Supporting Trends:

• Reaves averages 27.7 points per game across 10 home contests this season, exceeding this line by 9.2 points per game.
• His home true shooting percentage of 71.6% reflects elite efficiency in familiar surroundings.
• Reaves generates 8.95 free throw attempts per home game while converting at 88.2%, providing a scoring floor independent of jump shooting.

The Lakers’ league-leading 28.9 free-throw attempts per game creates systematic opportunities for Reaves to manufacture points through contact. His consistent ability to exceed this total at home, combined with the Rockets’ tendency to foul jump shooters, makes this over bet a statistical standout.

Most books have this line three to four points higher, reflecting the potential of Dončić sitting out. BetRivers is the outlier and, if you have access to multiple books, allows for a rare pre-game arbitrage opportunity.