Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 2/25/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions
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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Matchup Preview (2/25/22)
As is customary, this game will be introduced as the only matchup in the NBA where both teams are playing at home. The Clippers will technically be the away team and will likely have fewer fans than the Lakers, but then again, there are many fair-weathered Lakers fans. Right now, the “fan weather” is overcast and cloudy, with a chance of thunderstorms in Los Angeles. The Lakers can’t seem to catch any break. Anthony Davis just went down with a pretty serious ankle sprain; he was only back for ten games before getting injured again. Los Angeles has had its struggles even when he is on the floor, but he’s still a great player that improves the offense and defense. The Lake Show is 1-3 in their past four games but were able to grab a key home win against the surging Utah Jazz behind a vintage LeBron James performance.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are 3-1 in their four games with wins over the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks. The only game they have lost during that span was against the unbeatable Phoenix Suns, who are playing at a completely different level than every other team in the NBA. This is a surprising run for Los Angeles, considering it just lost Norman Powell to a season-ending injury. Powell had posted an average of over 20 games in his short span with the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds
Every ounce of my being wants to stay away from the spread in this game; it features two of the more inconsistent and sporadic teams in the NBA, and it is near impossible to predict the outcome. For example, look at the last Los Angeles Lakers game when LeBron James single-handedly brought them back from a double-digit deficit late in the game to beat the surging Utah Jazz, even after Anthony Davis went down with an ankle injury. Instead, I will target the point total, and I like the under at 223.5.
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How To Watch
Date: 2/25/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
Channel: ESPN
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Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Clippers Analysis
This should go without saying, but the Clippers will still be without Norman Powell, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. Leonard and George may return at some point this season if the Clippers are still in playoff contention, but if they slip out of the picture, then it’s hard to imagine them rushing their two superstars back for no reason. In their past four games, the Clippers have amassed a 3-1 record while beating two contending teams and did so on 51% from the floor and 40% from behind the arc. If they can become more consistent offensively and resurrect the defense they were playing at the beginning of the season, this team could squeak into the playoffs, potentially bringing Leonard and George back into the equation. However, these are the games essential to winning late in the season.
Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Malik Monk
SF: Stanley Johnson
PF: LeBron James
C: Dwight Howard
Los Angeles Lakers Analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a state of emergency: they lost Anthony Davis for what will likely be several weeks and are once again leaning heavily on a 37-year old LeBron James for all of the heavy lifting. This further complicates things for a team that does not play defense at a high level; LeBron can’t do it all. Even when he was on those Miami Heat teams and second-stint Cleveland Cavaliers teams, he had plenty of help. Right now, LeBron has little-to-no help, and it is a significant concern for a team that was the second-favorite to win the NBA Championship before the season started.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Daily Fantasy Picks
LeBron James has been nothing short of extraordinary this season, and if the Los Angeles Lakers were doing well, then he would likely be at the top of the MVP conversation. While he is still in the conversation, there are still quite a few guys ahead of him at the moment, and there is not much of the season left. LeBron has had to step up in so many ways with the various injuries to Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony and the inconsistency with Russell Westbrook. On the season, James has posted some of his best numbers ever, averaging just shy of 30 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on an eFG% (effective field goal percentage) of just shy of 59%. James has just been so unbelievable this season, but what is even crazier are his stats when Anthony Davis has not played. His points per game increase up to 33 points per game, and he grabs a couple of extra rebounds, too. An inner-city game between two rivals should bring out the absolute best in James, and the Lakers will have to rely on him heavily without Carmelo or Anthony Davis being available. Expect his usage to be extremely high in this game; a 40-point game would not shock me at all.
The Clippers have a well-dispersed offense, even if not great at times. There are a few scorers that you can count on fairly regularly, but no one that consistently puts up 20 or more points per game. The closest players on the Clippers to fit that description are Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris Sr. Both players are more than capable of posting 20 points on any night, but it won’t be every night. If you are looking for a cheap option at center or your utility spot, take a look at Ivica Zubac. While he is not the most attractive option, he has had three double-doubles in the past four games. Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers will struggle a bit on the boards, and Zubac is a big body that welcomes banging in the paint. I fully expect another double-double from Zubac in this one, somewhere in the ballpark of 18 points and 12 rebounds with a few assists chipped in. At least consider him in this matchup in DFS if your budget is getting tight.
