Rockets tip off NBA playoffs against Lakers this weekend

Driving the news: Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will be in Los Angeles.

State of play: The Rockets beat the Lakers in LA earlier this season but fell twice to the Lakers at Toyota Center in March.

Catch up quick: The Rockets (52-30) are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers (53-29) are the No. 4 seed.

• Houston finished the season winning nine of its last 10 games.
• The team is led by All-Star forward Kevin Durant, who averaged 26 points and 5.5 rebounds during the regular season.

Flashback: Houston made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020 but lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.

• Houston added Durant in the offseason to help strengthen the team's young lineup.
• Point guard Fred VanVleet, fresh off signing a two-year, $50 million contract with the Rockets, tore his ACL while practicing in October and has been sidelined all season.

The other side: The Lakers have homecourt advantage in the best-of-seven series. They're led by LeBron James but it's been three years since he last won a playoff series.

• LA will start the series without stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who have been sidelined "indefinitely" after each suffered injuries during the same game April 2.

What's next: Tipoff for Game 1 is at 7:30pm Saturday on ABC.