Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game Highlights (1:14) Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game Highlights (1:14) Doug Greenberg Apr 22, 2026, 11:41 AM ET The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 playoffs as 150-1 long shots to win the NBA Finals after a dismal end to the regular season, as well as key injuries to leading scorers Luka Doncic (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). However, LeBron James and company willed the Lakers to two victories to open their first-round series against the Houston Rockets , vaulting them to 35-1 for the title. The Rockets fell to 300-1 after entering the postseason around 60-1. Los Angeles was 12-1 to win the 2026 Finals at its peak and is one of the largest liabilities across the sportsbook marketplace, with BetMGM, Caesars and DraftKings all reporting significant action backing the 17-time champions.…