NBA players love the city of Los Angeles, both from a social standpoint and for furthering their careers off the court from a marketing perspective, movies, etc. The latter reason is largely why LeBron James left Cleveland for the City of Angels this past offseason. Of course, James’ first year didn’t go as planned on the court and his season is over.

It should be a fascinating offseason regarding the two Los Angeles teams in regards to chasing big-ticket free agents like the Warriors’ Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard, Celtics’ Kyrie Irving, 76ers’ Jimmy Butler, Hornets’ Kemba Walker and others. Some of those guys will certainly re-sign with their current teams. Thompson seems to be near sure thing. The Raptors are hoping at least reaching an NBA Finals will convince Leonard, an L.A. native, to come back. Most believe if Leonard signs with an L.A. team, it would be the Clippers.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Both the Lakers and Clippers will have money to sign potentially two max free agents. The Lakers have their history to sell and they are arguably the most glamorous franchise in the league, but the Clippers are ahead right now in terms of on-court product.

The Clippers are 2-1 vs. the Lakers this season. Lou Williams, who might win another Sixth Man of the Year Award this season, is averaging 27.0 points vs. the Lakers and Danilo Gallinari 21.0. LeBron played in two of the three and averaged 25.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists. Rajon Rondo is averaging 19.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists.

The Clippers are 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings.

Los Angeles Lakers

It’s the second of a back-to-back for the Lakers, their last such scenario of the season and their last “road” game. In a home/road B2B such as this, the Lakers are 0-2 in the second game. Los Angeles enters on a two-game losing streak, falling in Oklahoma City and Golden State by 16 and 18 points, respectively.

The Lakers are playing guys you probably have never heard of like Alex Caruso, Jemerrio Jones and Johnathan Williams heavy minutes because nearly every player of note has been shut down. Well, two legitimate NBA players who haven’t yet, Kyle Kuzma and Reggie Bullock, both sat Thursday vs. the Warriors with injuries and are questionable vs. the Clippers. L.A. is 1-6 ATS in its past seven on Friday.

LA Clippers

The Clippers have been one of the pleasant surprises in the NBA this year – who would have guessed they would be in the playoffs and the Lakers not? The Clips could finish as high as fifth in the Western Conference standings or as low as eighth, and Doc Rivers is a Coach of the Year candidate. The Clippers do come off a lousy outing, losing 135-103 at home to Houston on Wednesday in what might have been a first-round playoff preview. L.A. had won an NBA-best 13 of 15 entering that one but was down 13 after a quarter and never recovered.

Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a team-high 20 points in the loss. Fellow point guard Patrick Beverley, a defensive demon, sat with a hip injury. The Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their past four vs. teams with a losing record.