The battle for Los Angeles on Monday night could have big playoff ramifications down the line as the Lakers “host” the Clippers.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

It’s extraordinarily unusual for the Lakers and Clippers to be both battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Since moving to Los Angeles for the 1984-85 season, the Clippers have largely been the laughingstocks of the league, although they made the postseason for six straight years starting in 2011-12. The Lakers are of course one of the league’s marquee franchises but in the midst of the worst playoff drought in team history, last making it in 2012-13.

Both L.A. teams might sneak in, one might (Clippers currently seventh in West) or neither could — and then sports fans of Los Angeles can turn their attention to the Angels and Dodgers in baseball. Both L.A. teams also figure to be competing for some of the same free agents this offseason, led by Kevin Durant and current Raptor Kawhi Leonard.

Third of four meetings between the Staples Center co-tenants, and they close the series on April 5 “at” the Clippers, which could be a huge game. The teams have split thus far. LeBron James only played in the 123-120 victory on Jan. 31 – that was his return from a long injury absence. He had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Lou Williams leads the Clippers in averaging 30 points this season against the Lakers.

The favorite has covered five of the past six in the series.

Los Angeles Clippers

Second of a back-to-back for the Clippers, who routed the visiting and terrible Knicks on Sunday, 128-107. Rookie Landry Shamet, acquired in the Tobias Harris trade from Philadelphia, had 21 points and tied the franchise record for made three-points in a quarter (six) and a half (seven). The Clippers led 82-46 at halftime, the second-most points in the first half in franchise history. Williams and Montrzel Harrell each contributed 18 points off the bench. They have the highest combined single-season scoring average (36.1 ppg) of any pair of reserves on the same team in NBA history. The Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their past six Monday games.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers’ playoff chances took a major hit Saturday in losing 118-109 at awful Phoenix – that’s simply not acceptable. Frankly, it’s almost an upset that coach Luke Walton still has his job after that defeat. He will not be the coach next season. LeBron had 27 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds, but the Lakers were outscored by a point with him on the court. Brandon Ingram had 25 points but was minus-5. He’s averaging 28.0 points over the past five, likely increasing his trade value in a potential Anthony Davis deal this offseason. Lance Stephenson sat out with a toe injury. James, incidentally, is close to passing Michael Jordan as the No. 4 all-time scorer in league history. Probably won’t happen Monday but could Wednesday. The Lakers have covered 10 of their past 13 against Pacific Division rivals.

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

JaMychal Green (PF)

Prob Wed Personal - 07 / 04 / 19

Danilo Gallinari (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 06 / 04 / 19

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Wed Hip - 02 / 04 / 19

Danilo Gallinari (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 29 / 03 / 19

Lou Williams (SG)

Out Thurs Rest - 28 / 03 / 19

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Sat Hip - 27 / 03 / 19

Landry Shamet (PG)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19

Danilo Gallinari (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 13 / 03 / 19

Danilo Gallinari (SF)

Out Tues Rest - 12 / 03 / 19

JaMychal Green (PF)

Prob Sat Knee - 07 / 02 / 19

L.A. Lakers

Lance Stephenson (SG)

Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19

Tyson Chandler (C)

Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19

Mike Muscala (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
JaMychal Green (PF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 07 / 04 / 19	3-5	5-3	+ -
Green was held out of the last game due to a personal matter but it is expected he will be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Jazz.
Danilo Gallinari (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 19	3-6	6-3	+ -
Gallinari sat out the previous game with soreness in his left ankle but will take the court against the Jazz on Wednesday.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Wed	Hip - 02 / 04 / 19	4-6	6-4	+ -
Beverley has missed the past three games with a right hip pointer but it is likely he will return Wednesday against the Jazz.
Danilo Gallinari (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 29 / 03 / 19	5-6	8-4	+ -
Gallinari missed the last game with a sore ankle but is expected to be available Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Lou Williams (SG)	Out Thurs	Rest - 28 / 03 / 19	6-6	9-4	+ -
Williams will not play against the Bucks on Thursday as he is to be rested.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 27 / 03 / 19	6-6	9-4	+ -
Beverley was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a right hip pointer but is likely to play against the Cavaliers on Saturday.
Landry Shamet (PG)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 24 / 03 / 19	7-7	10-5	+ -
Shamet was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a left ankle impingement but is expected to suit up for Thursday's contest against the Bucks.
Danilo Gallinari (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 13 / 03 / 19	9-10	14-6	+ -
Gallinari missed the previous game with a minor ankle sprain but is expected to return to the court for Friday's contest versus the Bulls.
Danilo Gallinari (SF)	Out Tues	Rest - 12 / 03 / 19	10-10	14-7	+ -
Gallinari will not suit up against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
JaMychal Green (PF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 07 / 02 / 19	19-13	21-12	+ -
Green missed his second-straight game with a sore left knee although he will likely be available against the Celtics on Saturday.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lance Stephenson (SG)	Ques Tues	Foot - 09 / 04 / 19	1-0	1-0	+ -
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 19	2-0	2-0	+ -
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Ques Tues	Neck - 04 / 04 / 19	2-2	2-2	+ -
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 01 / 04 / 19	3-2	3-2	+ -
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C)	Ques Tues	Flu - 26 / 03 / 19	7-2	4-5	+ -
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 24 / 03 / 19	7-3	4-6	+ -
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG)	out for season	Knee - 21 / 03 / 19	7-4	4-7	+ -
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 18 / 03 / 19	7-5	5-7	+ -
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.

Clippers vs. Lakers Prediction