Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers 2/3/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Preview (2/3/22)

This is the only matchup in the NBA where both teams play a home game. The Lakers will show up to Crypto.com Arena as the road team but will be playing in front of many of their fans. Similarly, the Clippers have a home game, but it will feel a whole lot more like a neutral court and possibly even an away game. The Clippers are fresh off losing a road game to the tanking Indiana Pacers, which is never a good look. Indiana started two rookies in Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson, with only one usual starter, Caris LeVert, in the lineup. However, the Clippers secured a road win against the high-powered Charlotte Hornets in the previous game. You never know what you will get with this team. Meanwhile, the Lakers have been without LeBron James for a few games, and it has gone how you would expect, losing three straight games. Ultimately, this is a battle between two sub-par Western Conference teams, and hopefully, we can find enough inspiration to watch it. Below, I detail my expectations and predictions for this matchup.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds

The Clippers are 2.5 point favorites as of late Wednesday night. It’s clear that the sportsbooks don’t anticipate that LeBron James will be returning from his knee injury for this matchup, and nor should he. Truthfully, this is not an attractive game to bet on, but I would slightly lean towards the Lakers ATS if you are so inclined. In my opinion, they also should have more fans than the Clippers will, so it’ll feel much more like a home game for them. If Malik Monk, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook play reasonably well, they should win. I’ll reluctantly take the Lakers against the spread here as the Clippers’ defense is not quite what it used to be. They just gave up 122 to a horrible Pacers team.

TV Schedule

Date: 2/3/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
Channel: TNT

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Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Malik Monk
PF: Stanley Johnson
C: Anthony Davis

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

Without LeBron James, the Lakers transform from a team that could squeak into the playoffs to a team that will struggle to win any games at all. They are currently 5-10 without LeBron this year and will be without him again for this matchup against the cross-town rival Los Angeles Clippers. Still, Malik Monk has done well stepping into a starting role when LeBron, or another perimeter player, has been out. As a starter, Monk averages 18.2 points, which is highly productive. It also goes without saying, but his efficiency this season has been borderline elite, shooting 48% from the floor and 41% from three. If Monk had a more apparent role on a nightly basis, I think we would see him explode. Regardless, he should have a good outing in this game, and if Davis and Westbrook contribute as well, then the Lakers could get a win against an underwhelming Clippers squad.

Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Amir Coffey
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Serge Ibaka

Los Angeles Clippers Analysis

Los Angeles has somehow hung on to eighth place in the Western Conference despite being without its two best players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers have had a strange season with several double-digit comebacks, one of which was by 35 points. That could only be made possible by solid defense, and the Clippers have a good idea of how that looks. They currently rank third in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage), third in opponent 3P% (three-point percentage), tenth in opponent points per game, and seventh in defensive efficiency. If they can somehow return Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to this team that now has incredibly valuable experience, it will be terrifying for the Western Conference. In the meantime, the Clippers will be forced to grind every game if they want to win.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Daily Fantasy Picks

It’s about time that the Los Angeles Lakers give Malik Monk more volume and minutes per game. Monk is one of the few bright spots for the Lakers this season as he has shot it tremendously well and has become a more well-rounded offensive player. Monk’s averages are nothing to call home about, but his 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists are solid for a role player who comes off the bench. When he secures a start for Los Angeles, Monk averages 18.2 points, a substantial uptick in production. Pay attention to when the Lakers decide to start Monk, and make sure you play him in your DFS lineup. Look no further than his last game against the Atlanta Hawks, when he had 33 points on just 19 field goal attempts.

If you have not caught on yet, Amir Coffey is an effective and talented offensive scorer and an absolute steal for the Los Angeles Clippers. Coffey did not get many minutes when the Clippers were healthy, but he has recently gained more and done plenty with them. This season, Coffey merely averages 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, which would hardly make him a candidate for a role as a utility player in a DFS lineup; however, the month of January has been particularly good to Coffey. Coffey’s past 13 games have been tremendous; he’s putting up 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and three assists on a 50/42/93 shooting split. For the price you can acquire Coffey at, it only makes sense to play him as often as you can. Coffey will continue to see high volume and plenty of minutes until the Clippers are fully healthy. He even may see an increased workload as Los Angeles is undoubtedly impressed with his progression since coming into the league.