The Los Angeles Lakers were able to grind out a win against the red-hot Denver Nuggets on Monday but still remain in the sixth seed of the Western Conference with their 37-28 record. They will be going up against the Los Angeles Clippers in this matchup, the team that has beaten them both times they played this season. The Clippers are on the heels of a tough battle against the Toronto Raptors as well but they won to snap their three-game losing streak. The win boosted them up into the third seed in the conference.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their past four contests following a straight up win in the previous game. They may struggle here without a few key pieces to their roster as they are out with injuries.

On the other hand, the under is 6-0 in the Clippers last six games overall and is bound to hit that mark once again. The Lakers have a fantastic defense and with Anthony Davis finally getting back on the court, they are even better.

Los Angeles Lakers

Even though the Lakers have arguably the best duo in all of basketball behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they have been riddled with injuries this year. In fact, numerous players on their roster have been hit hard by the injury bug and it the reason they are a few games away from falling into the play-in tournament. The Lakers will need to start stringing together some wins if they would like to avoid that fate and will need to grind out a win here without a few key players.

James will miss this game due to injury while Dennis Schroder remains sidelined because of the league’s health and safety protocols. Davis will be functioning as the leader but that hasn’t been enough. The team did beat the Denver Nuggets in their most recent contest but had lost three in a row before that.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers were able to finally break a three-game losing skid by taking down the Raptors on Tuesday. While they have already clinched a playoff spot with a record of 44-22, they are still fighting for seeding in their conference. Their team looks stronger than ever right now with the combination of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George giving opposing teams headaches. However, the team is much deeper than just those two players. The acquisitions of Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins have dramatically improved their bench depth and adds onto their already deadly offensive production.

The Lakers may have one of the best defenses in the league, but the Clippers haven’t had many problems with it. They scored 116 in the first meeting and while they only scored 104 in the second meeting, they still won by 18. The Lakers should be a little concerned as the Clippers have won both meetings rather easily. Now they are shorthanded and probably won’t be able to put up the same type of fight.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Clippers?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Lakers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 24.85
Assists	Rajon Rondo 5.78
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 7.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 65.2
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.56
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.15

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 30.36
Assists	Paul George 5.37
Rebounds	Paul George 9.63
FG%	Amir Coffey 75
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2.09
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

LAL

Points	LeBron James 25.02
Assists	LeBron James 7.78
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 10.19
FG%	Montrezl Harrell 62.2
Steals	Anthony Davis 1.25
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.64

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 24.85
Assists	Rajon Rondo 5.78
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 7.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 65.2
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.56
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.15

LAL

Points	LeBron James 23.33
Assists	LeBron James 8
Rebounds	Andre Drummond 11
FG%	Marc Gasol 61.5
Steals	LeBron James 1.5
Blocks	Anthony Davis 1.6

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 30.36
Assists	Paul George 5.37
Rebounds	Paul George 9.63
FG%	Amir Coffey 75
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2.09
Blocks	Serge Ibaka 1.5

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21

Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)

Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21

Andre Drummond (C)

Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21

Kyle Kuzma (PF)

Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21

Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Marc Gasol (C)

Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

L.A. Clippers

Ivica Zubac (C)

Out Wed Knee - 28 / 06 / 21

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Ques Sat Knee - 25 / 06 / 21

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Ques Thurs Head - 23 / 06 / 21

Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)

Ques Tues Knee - 21 / 06 / 21

Serge Ibaka (PF)

out for season Back - 27 / 05 / 21

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Prob Sat Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21

DeMarcus Cousins (C)

Ques Fri Foot - 15 / 05 / 21

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Ques Sun Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21

Terance Mann (SG)

Ques Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21

Injuries

L.A. Lakers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Ques Thurs	Knee - 02 / 06 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 31 / 05 / 21	0-2	0-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 28 / 05 / 21	2-2	0-3-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C)	Ques Sun	Leg - 20 / 05 / 21	3-3	0-5-1	+ -
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sun	Back - 16 / 05 / 21	3-4	1-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF)	Prob Sat	Back - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C)	Prob Sun	Finger - 14 / 05 / 21	3-5	2-5-1	+ -
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	4-6	3-6-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Ivica Zubac (C)	Out Wed	Knee - 28 / 06 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Zubac is dealing with a right knee MCL sprain, and he will not be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Suns.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Ques Sat	Knee - 25 / 06 / 21	3-1	1-3	+ -
Morris Sr. is battling a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference final.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Ques Thurs	Head - 23 / 06 / 21	3-2	2-3	+ -
Beverley is bothered by a head injury, leaving his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference versus the Suns up in the air.
Marcus Morris Sr. (PF)	Ques Tues	Knee - 21 / 06 / 21	3-2	2-3	+ -
Morris Sr. is managing a left knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take on the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	out for season	Back - 27 / 05 / 21	11-6	9-8	+ -
Ibaka will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season after undergoing back surgery.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Prob Sat	Achilles - 21 / 05 / 21	11-8	10-9	+ -
Jackson is expected to face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round despite left Achilles soreness.
DeMarcus Cousins (C)	Ques Fri	Foot - 15 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Cousins is dealing with left foot soreness, and it is unknown if he will play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Mavericks.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Beverley will be handed a day of rest and will not be available against the Rockets on Friday.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Ques Sun	Achilles - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Jackson sat out the last game due to an Achilles injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Thunder on Sunday.
Terance Mann (SG)	Ques Sun	Personal - 14 / 05 / 21	12-9	11-10	+ -
Mann was held out of the previous game due to a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will face the Thunder on Sunday.