Each side has just contended with the visiting Orlando Magic. The Lakers did so on Monday and emerged victorious 106-103. As for the Clippers, their match was on Tuesday and they won too, albeit with slightly more ease, 118-102.

It’s the Lakers whom the NBA odds have pegged as favourites. They’re perched at -5.5 and the total is 225.5. The gold and purple are technically the home side this evening.

Clippers vs. Lakers NBA Betting Odds

It’s no secret that one of the more unique streaks running in the NBA concerns the Clippers-Lakers rivalry. The Clippers have won an incredible 11 consecutive games versus their fellow arena tenants. The last time a result went the other way around wasn’t even in their regular home but rather in Florida during the 2020 bubble season.

Tyronn Lue’s side has started the season 3-1 ATS. Their lone blemish was the match they lost to Utah. Of note, they’ve managed to cover spreads with a lot of chalk written down for them, handling -9.5 spreads twice already. The over is also 3-1 thus far.

The 2023-2024 campaign has been a bit more challenging. Their 2-2 record in the Pacific Division has not rewarded betters with a single cover. At 0-4, one has to imagine the Lakers will cover a spread at some some, but the slow start is surprising. Of note, both of their last two games featured very slim spreads (+2.5 and -3.5) but it didn’t help.

Los Angeles Clippers

It’s unusual for the biggest story of the week concerning the Clippers to not be a derby match versus the Lakers. But this is no ordinary week, what with former MVP James Harden recently traded to L.A. He wasn’t a fixture on Tuesday versus the Magic and it is doubtful if he’ll suit up on Wednesday, but who knows. Likewise for former 76er P.J. Tucker.

As for the Halloween night contest itself, suffice it to say that Orlando did give the hosts a bit of a scare. Orlando took an early first quarter lead and looked like the more spry squad. Part of that might have been no travelling for the visitors since they played the Lakers the night before, and part of that might have been the Clippers operating with a skeleton crew given their short-notice trade with the 76ers. But as the match evolved Paul George found his groove, especially in the third quarter. Many of his 27 points were earned during that frame, his three-point shooting on fire. Russell Westbrook and new Clipper Bones Hyland had solid nights and helped turn the tide. Orlando made L.A. sweat it out a bit, but the Clippers ultimately took care of business 118-102.

The Clippers ride the momentum of the fourth-best defence in the NBA, allowing only 104 points a tilt.

Los Angeles Lakers

Only four games have been played, making it fall too early to make sweeping statements about a club in an 82-game season. That said, the Lakers have been topsy-turvy, both between games and within them from quarter to quarter.

Monday’s contest against the same Orlando Magic was another example of the Lakers’ big guns having to ball out in the final 12 minutes to escape with a victory. The Magic gave the Lakers enough to worry about with 40 per cent efficiency from beyond the arc. At the very least, one can argue that the Lakers have been a tough outing through four matches. Even on Sunday night against a strong Kings side, they fought tooth and nail, forcing that game into overtime. But the Kings are a solid outfit. Orlando as a road team is not expected to exert much pressure on a team led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The latter was his usual terrific self on the glass, corralling 19 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell earned top marks with a 28-point evening. Lakers win 106-103 but this was no walk in the park.

PF Rui Hachimura (eye) and SF Cam Reddish (foot) are day-to-day.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Clippers vs. Lakers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 23.72
Assists	James Harden 8.53
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 64.9
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.63
Blocks	Ivica Zubac 1.22

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

LAC

Points	James Harden 21.17
Assists	James Harden 8
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.33
FG%	Daniel Theis 100
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2
Blocks	James Harden 1

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 23.72
Assists	James Harden 8.53
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 64.9
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.63
Blocks	Ivica Zubac 1.22

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.66
Assists	LeBron James 8.3
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 12.64
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 72
Steals	LeBron James 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 2.34

LAC

Points	James Harden 21.17
Assists	James Harden 8
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.33
FG%	Daniel Theis 100
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2
Blocks	James Harden 1

LAL

Points	Anthony Davis 27.8
Assists	LeBron James 8.8
Rebounds	Anthony Davis 15.6
FG%	Anthony Davis 63.4
Steals	LeBron James 2.4
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

Terance Mann (SG)

prob Fri Leg - 02 / 05 / 24

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 14 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Moussa Diabate (PF)

Prob Fri Hand - 10 / 04 / 24

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Prob Fri Hand - 10 / 04 / 24

Ivica Zubac (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 24

Jordan Miller (SG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 10 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Fri Foot - 09 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 07 / 04 / 24

Daniel Theis (PF)

Ques Wed Thumb - 07 / 04 / 24

L.A. Lakers

Cam Reddish (SF)

Out Mon Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 01 / 04 / 24

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Prob Wed Knee - 01 / 04 / 24

Jaxson Hayes (C)

Prob Tues Calf - 31 / 03 / 24

D'Angelo Russell (PG)

Prob Tues Illness - 24 / 03 / 24

Taurean Prince (SF)

Prob Sun Personal - 22 / 03 / 24

Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)

Out indefinitely Back - 21 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24

Cam Reddish (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Terance Mann (SG)	prob Fri	Leg - 02 / 05 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Mann is nursing a right lower-leg contusion, but it is projected that he will be active prior to Friday's showdown verses the Mavericks.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 14 / 04 / 24	2-5	2-5	+ -
Westbrook will not dress for Sunday's clash versus the Rockets as he will receive a day of rest.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	2-6	3-5	+ -
Harden is tending to right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will play against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Moussa Diabate (PF)	Prob Fri	Hand - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Diabate missed the last game managing a hand injury, but he is likely to take on the Jazz on Friday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Prob Fri	Hand - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Westbrook missed the last game due to a left hand contusion, but he is expected to partake in Friday's showdown with the Jazz.
Ivica Zubac (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Zubac is dealing with left ankle inflammation, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Suns.
Jordan Miller (SG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Miller was absent from the last match with a thumb ailment, but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in Friday's showdown versus the Jazz.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Fri	Foot - 09 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Harden has missed the last two games due to right foot soreness, but it is projected that he will lace up on Friday against the Jazz.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 07 / 04 / 24	4-7	5-6	+ -
Harden is bothered by right foot soreness, but it is expected that he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the Cavaliers.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Ques Wed	Thumb - 07 / 04 / 24	4-7	5-6	+ -
Theis has missed the last two games with a left thumb sprain, and it is undetermined if he will take the floor against the Suns on Wednesday.

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cam Reddish (SF)	Out Mon	Ankle - 16 / 04 / 24	3-2	2-3	+ -
Reddish is hampered by a right ankle sprain, and he will not suit up against the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Reddish was absent from the last match while tending to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Wednesday's showdown versus the Wizards.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 01 / 04 / 24	6-6	7-5	+ -
Vincent missed the previous contest with a left knee injury, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Wizards on Wednesday.
Jaxson Hayes (C)	Prob Tues	Calf - 31 / 03 / 24	6-7	7-6	+ -
Hayes missed the last game with a left calf contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Tuesday's clash with the Raptors.
D'Angelo Russell (PG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 24 / 03 / 24	9-8	10-7	+ -
Russell missed the last game ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will take the court against the Bucks on Tuesday.
Taurean Prince (SF)	Prob Sun	Personal - 22 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Prince missed the last contest due to a personal matter, but it is expected that he will suit up against the Pacers on Sunday.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)	Out indefinitely	Back - 21 / 03 / 24	10-8	11-7	+ -
Hood-Schifino is idle after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure, and the severity of the ailment is unknown.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 10 / 03 / 24	12-10	14-8	+ -
Reddish has been absent the previous four games due to a right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take the floor against the 76ers on Friday.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 07 / 03 / 24	13-11	15-9	+ -
Reddish is expected to lace up for Friday's matchup with the Bucks despite a right ankle sprain.
Cam Reddish (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 05 / 03 / 24	13-12	16-9	+ -
Reddish missed the last game nursing a right ankle sprain, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the court Friday against the Bucks.