Getty Los Angeles Lakers sign before the game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. T he National Basketball Association (NBA) has been accused of favoring the Los Angeles Lakers , the  league’s second-most-valuable team , by gifting them a less challenging first-round playoff schedule than other teams. The NBA announced on Tuesday that the Lakers vs. the Houston Rockets series will include two+ days of rest in between Games 2, 3 and 5. Game 1: