Breakdown of Lakers vs. Rockets head-to-head factors in 2026 NBA first-round series

The Pacific Division champion Los Angeles Lakers, the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 53-29, will host the fifth-seeded, 52-30 Houston Rockets to begin the quarterfinals this weekend.The Lakers hosted the Rockets just once this season, a 119-96 loss on Christmas that was one of the worst defeats of the season for Los Angeles for two reasons; one, because Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves left the game with a multi-week calf injury, and two, because Rockets point guard Amen Thompson repeatedly beat Lakers defenders toward a game-high 26 points.Advertisement