Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction, NBA Odds
James has been scratched from the lineup due to a nagging ankle injury that has hampered him in recent weeks. But even with LBJ hobbled, the Lakers have enjoyed a 3-1 SU run over their past four games, all on home hardwood, lifting them back into the Western Conference playoff picture. The Clippers enter the final game of their current three-game home stand on a seven-game SU win streak on home court, and now sport a conference-best 18-4 SU home record.
The Clippers have emerged as lofty 9.5-point favourites on the Tuesday NBA odds, while the Lakers are pegged as +300 underdogs in their bid to snap a six-game losing streak against the Clippers as the road team. The total is listed at 234.5.
Lakers vs. Clippers NBA Betting Odds
The Lakers are coming off a dominant performance in Sunday’s 134-110 victory over Portland, but have struggled to maintain momentum while recording consecutive wins just twice during a middling 8-13 SU that has left them perched on the playoff bubble. While the Lakers have averaged an impressive 121.3 points per game during their recent 3-1 home stand, they have also consistently given up big point totals, allowing at least 127 points in six of 11 contests. However, this team continues to produce mixed results in totals betting, with the OVER/UNDER going 6-6 in the past 12 games.
The Clippers have steadily closed the gap on the top of the Western Conference standings while winning 19 of 23 games since the beginning of December, and enter Tuesday’s action just two games back of forst-place Minnesota. LA has also steadily emerged as a reliable bet, going 8-3 ATS in their past 11 games, and 5-1 ATS in their past six home dates.
Los Angeles Lakers
The loss of LeBron James to injury is the latest in a string of health woes to impact this club. While King James has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game, Anthony Davis is listed as probable despite reportedly nursing Achilles tendinopathy in both feet. AD’s health woes have had an impact on his scoring, with the big man scoring 15 or fewer points three times while averaging just 20.5 points over the past six games. However, Davis has remained a force under the bucket, averaging 13.8 rebounds per game over a five-game stretch that has featured four double-doubles and one triple double. With James on the shelf and Jarred Vanderbilt questionable with a heel injury, look for Rui Hachimura to take on a bigger assignment on Tuesday. Hachimura has averaged just 8.8 points in limited action this month, but has averaged 17.6 points per game in his last five when playing at least 25 minutes.
Los Angeles Clippers
The trio of James Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard have taken turns leading the attack during the Clippers’ steady climb up the standings. On Sunday, it was Harden’s turn, with “The Beard” scoring 24 points in a 125-114 win over the Nets that marks his highest scoring performance in a month. Harden also contributed 10 assists to record his sixth double-double in 10 games, and is a solid +125 bet on the NBA player props to record another double-double on Tuesday. It has been feats or famine for George, who has recorded at least 37 points twice in his past four games, but failed to score more than 16 points in the two other games over that stretch. Meanwhile, Leonard has averaged 21.9 points this month, highlighted by a 29-point performance against his former Toronto Raptors teammates in a 126-120 home win two weeks ago.
LAL
LAC