Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4/5/23)
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The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Los Angeles Clippers in a huge Western Conference matchup for playoff standings. The Lakers have won four games in a row, with the last one against the Jazz on the road, while the have lost two straight with the last one against the Pelicans on the road. My prediction is that the Clippers cover the 3.5-point spread. The Lakers are potentially resting their best players, while the Clippers are hungry for the win. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
The Pick: Los Angeles Clippers -3.5
The Clippers are still fighting for a playoff spot despite Paul George being injured and are still competing.
With George out, Kawhi Leonard is the primary scorer and star for the Clippers. He’s tied for the lead in scoring at 24 PPG and in steals at 1.5 per game, both with Paul George. Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, and Ivica Zubac will be next up to help without Paul George. Powell averages 16.5 PPG and Westbrook averages 15 PPG. Westbrook leads the team in assists at 8 per game too. Zubac is their best big man and he averages 11 PPG and leads the team in rebounds at 10 per game.
The Clippers are solid this year across the board, but excel more on defense this year. They’re 13th in points allowed at 112.9 and 13th in defensive rating at 113.5.
On the other side, the Lakers are also still vying for their playoff seeding too with this game being pivotal for that.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis both might be out in this game, which leaves the Lakers short-handed a bit. D’Angelo Russell is going to be the primary playmaker for the Lakers in this spot with those two potentially out. He averages 17 PPG and would lead in assists too at 6 per game. Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder, and Lonnie Walker IV will also be huge for the Lakers in this game on the perimeter. Reaves and Schroder both average 13 PPG, while Walker IV averages 12 PPG. Those three will be huge especially if James and Davis don’t play.
The Lakers are a very good offensive team this year. They’re 8th in scoring at 117 PPG and 10th in field goal percentage. They’ve improved on defense too and are 6th in rebounds at 45.6 per game and 12th in defensive rating at 113.3
This game should be a great matchup between cross-town rivals for a playoff spot. The Clippers should win and cover in this game, especially with both Anthony Davis and LeBron James being questionable to play. The Clippers win and cover and strengthen their playoff standing in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds
The Los Angeles Clippers are 3.5-point home favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers and are at -165 on the money line. The over/under is also at 232.5. It makes sense the Clippers are favored because of the players potentially being held out for the Lakers. The over/under also makes sense because each team can really score when needed. This spread could move a bit once more clarity is there on the Lakers side on who’s playing too.
Betting Trends
Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 0 days rest.
Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Key Matchups
Can Jarred Vanderbilt matchup with Kawhi Leonard? Can Russell Westbrook matchup with D’Angelo Russell?
Kawhi Leonard vs. Jarred Vanderbilt
Kawhi Leonard has been huge for the Clippers this year when needed. He averages 24 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Jarred Vanderbilt most of the game, who averages 8 points, 2 assists, and 8 rebounds per game. Vanderbilt is a very good defender, but still Leonard is a different matchup and should be reason enough to pick the Clippers to win and cover 3.5-points in this spot.
D’Angelo Russell vs. Russell Westbrook
D’Angelo Russell is a very good playmaker that the Lakers got back at the trade deadline. Russell averages 18 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Russell Westbrook most of the game, who averages 16 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. Westbrook is playing better since he left the Lakers and this is a more even matchup. Still, the Clippers have more firepower here so they should still win and cover the 3.5-points.
Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Troy Brown Jr.
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Wenyen Gabriel
Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineups
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Norman Powell
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: SF LeBron James (Foot) Q, PF Anthony Davis (Foot) Q
Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: SF Paul George (Knee) O, SG Eric Gordon (Hip) Q
