Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction, NBA Odds
These teams share a city, but their seasons have gone in vastly different directions. The Lakers enter at 26-16, but 7-9 in their last 16, fifth in the Western Conference, while the Clippers sit 19-24, but 13-3 in their last 16, and currently occupy the 10th seed, clinging to Play-In hopes.
This is the third meeting of the season between the rivals. The Clippers won the most recent matchup 103-88 on Dec. 20, which launched the Lakers’ recent downturn and the Clippers’ hot streak.
Lakers vs. Clippers NBA Betting Odds
On the NBA odds, the Lakers are 22-19-1 against the spread this season, while the Clippers have struggled to reward bettors at 20-23 ATS. Totals trends lean toward the Over for both teams, with the Lakers at 25-17 and the Clippers at 23-20.
Despite the Clippers’ recent surge, the market has kept this line tight, largely due to injury uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the Lakers’ strong offensive efficiency. Both teams rank in the top five in free-throw attempt rate, suggesting frequent whistles and a potentially steady scoring pace.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers arrive with momentum after snapping an early-January slump and winning two straight, including an impressive road victory in Denver. Luka Dončić continues to anchor the offence, leading the NBA at 33.5 points per game while adding 7.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists, and he is coming off a dominant 38-point triple-double in Denver on Tuesday. LeBron James has been steady, averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and seven assists over his last 10 games.
Austin Reaves remains out with a calf injury, but the return of Deandre Ayton should be pivotal. Ayton has missed both meetings with the Clippers, and his interior presence and rebounding prowess could expose a Clippers defense that struggles on the glass and in second-chance points allowed. The Lakers rank seventh in offensive rating and are top 10 in points in the paint and defensive rebounding. They also force turnovers at a higher rate than their city rivals, and the Clippers are bottom 10 in taking care of the rock.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been one of the league’s hottest teams over the past two weeks, going 7-3 in their last 10. Kawhi Leonard’s status looms large once again, as the star forward is listed day to day with an ankle issue. Without him, the Clippers’ ceiling drops significantly. The Clippers just lost to the Bulls by 28 on Tuesday without Leonard.
Ivica Zubac has been a bright spot, averaging 14.8 points and 10.8 rebounds, but the supporting cast is thin. Bradley Beal remains out for the season, while Bogdan Bogdanović and Derrick Jones Jr. are also sidelined. Defensively, the Clippers rank 22nd in efficiency and have struggled to contain interior scoring.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Clippers?
This matchup sets up well for the Lakers, particularly given the short spread and the uncertainty surrounding Leonard. The Clippers have been extremely hot, yes, but I still can’t take this team seriously, and their streak has to end at some point. Why not pick another reversal of fortune here when the last meeting between these two sparked one?
The Lakers have consistently controlled the paint in this season series and are unlikely to shoot as poorly from three as they did when they shot 16% on 38 attempts in their December 20th loss. With Dončić and LeBron in sync and Ayton patrolling the paint, the Lakers should have the edge in this one and I like them to prevail 118-112.
LAL
LAC