Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers will take to battle with the Los Angeles Lakers this Friday as both teams make their return from the All-Star break.
Neither team has had an overly successful campaign thus far, finding moments of glory in very short spurts, but there are still 20-something games to turn this around. The Clippers currently occupy the eighth spot in the Western Conference, while the Lakers are next in line in ninth.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are led by the star trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook — however, this formation has spent more time dominating the headlines than the court this season.
Anthony Davis has missed long stretches of the season with various injuries and is currently out with an ankle issue, LeBron has had a couple of nicks here and there and also been suspended, and Russell Westbrook, who has played in nearly every game, has not been meeting expectations.
Despite their outrageous payroll and experience, the most valuable players on L.A.’s roster have been LeBron, Malik Monk, and Austin Reaves, an undrafted rookie. These three often feature in the closing lineup as a select few that can play with intensity, knock down shots, and play aggressive defense in decisive moments.
There are a couple of months left before the postseason, and L.A. has to prioritize moving up to at least the eighth spot before the regular season finishes. This will be tough without Davis, but if they do not, they will meet the league-leading Phoenix Suns in the opening round after already losing to them in six games last playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers entered the season with dampened expectations due to the absence of Kawhi Leonard; these expectations fell even further after Paul George was lost to what appears to be a season-ending injury.
Somehow, L.A. has remained competitive and clearly plans on being a threat in the playoffs, as evidenced by their activity at the trade deadline. One of the players they added, Norman Powell, is out with a foot injury but could return for the postseason.
The Clippers have dominated the Lakers in recent years and play a fearless, aggressive style that seems to both the purple and gold’s players. They also seem to have a mental advantage and can beat the perimeter defenders almost any time they want, most recently seen on a Reggie Jackson game-winning shot the last time these two met.
Betting Pick
The Lakers are -1.5 (-114) favorites in the impending clash, while the Clippers are +1.5 (-106).
The Lakers should be able to win the game, but then again, they should have a much better record than they do, and they are one of the worst teams in the league against the spread and against the spread at home.
Because of these reasons and the fact that the Clippers have been so successful matching up against them, as well as the Clippers being spotted a point and a half, their spread is far more enticing for Friday night’s game.
