Clippers vs Lakers Odds & Prediction: Clippers Have Dominated Battle Of LA

Neither the Lakers (27-31 SU, 26-32 ATS) nor Clippers (30-31, 30-31) have lived up to preseason expectations, but there’s still time to turn things around before the playoffs. The Clippers shoot for their sixth straight win over their Los Angeles rivals in the first game back from the all-star break for both teams.

Clippers vs Lakers Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Oddsmakers made this game a virtual toss-up, Sportsbook the Lakers as just 1.5-point chalk. Favorite status hasn’t meant much lately when making Clippers vs Lakers predictions anyway, with the underdog covering eight of the last 10 meetings – including a pair of outright upsets this season by the Clippers.

Get the best Clippers vs Lakers odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Clippers Have Covered Four Straight Since Trade Deadline Acquisitions

With 21 regular-season games left on their schedule, the Clippers appear headed for the play-in round, entering tonight well behind sixth-place Denver but comfortably ahead of 11th-place New Orleans and San Antonio. But Los Angeles could be a dangerous out once the play-in round arrives, especially if today’s MRI on Paul George’s injured elbow returns some promising news.

Kawhi Leonard could also potentially return before the playoffs, which might be a reason Clippers management decided to stock up at the deadline instead of selling off. The Clips seem to be rejuvenated by the recent acquisitions of Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye, going into the break with a 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS spurt.

Backup guard Luke Kennard has also had a lot to do with the Clippers’ recent success, shooting 70 percent from three-point range in LA’s five games since the trade deadline. The Clippers are averaging 114.4 points per 100 possessions during that stretch, seven points better than their season average, which could make the OVER an appealing option for your Clippers vs Lakers predictions.

Lakers Showed Improvement Before Break But Now Without Anthony Davis

The Lakers also seem destined for the play-in round – especially after losing Anthony Davis for several weeks to a sprained foot – and LeBron James isn’t happy about it. The King spent much of the all-star break taking masked shots at Lakers GM Rob Pelinka after LA didn’t make any moves to upgrade the team before the trade deadline.

Any issues James has been having off the court haven’t been affecting his play on it. He entered the all-star break third in the NBA scoring race at 29.1 points per game, his highest average in 12 years, and has notched at least 25 points in 23 straight games.

Despite losing seven of their final 10 games before the all-star break, the Lakers have covered five of their last seven. Three of LA’s last four losses came by two points or less, including a one-point loss to the Clippers when these teams met earlier this month, while each of their last three victories came by less than six points or in overtime.

Clippers vs Lakers Pick & Insights

Clippers: Keys To Cover

The Clippers were playing with a lot of energy going into the all-star break, especially at the offensive end of the floor. If their three-point shooting can pick up where it left off, they should be able to exploit a Lakers perimeter defense that is middle-of-the-pack against the trey.

Lakers: Keys To Cover

Rest during the all-star break might help rejuvenate the 37-year-old James, who has averaged nearly 37 minutes per game so far this year. Without Davis in the lineup, he’ll also need some help from Russell Westbrook, who has averaged 18 points per outing since the trade deadline.

Odds Shark’s Computer Clippers vs Lakers Prediction: Lakers -1.5

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