Twitter: @GGirlSports
The Los Angeles Lakers (41, 38, 20-20 Away) are playing The Los Angeles Clippers (41, 38, 21-18 Home) in their final regular season matchup of the 2022-2023 season. With three games to go, the Lakers and Clippers are fighting for the 6th seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers are coming off a four-game win streak, and sit at the 7th seed, which puts them in the play-in tournament. These two teams will play tonight at 10 PM EDT, located at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The matchup will air on ESPN. If you are looking for the best betting odds, here is information to know:
Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over:
*All lines are taken from Draft Kings*
Money Line
Lakers: +105
Clippers: -125
Over/Under: 231.5
Lakers: -110
Clippers: -110
Spread:
Lakers: +1.5(-110)
Clippers: -1.5 (-110)
Season Matchup
Clippers are 3-0 against the Lakers this season.
October 20th, 2022 – Clippers Win 103-97 (Lakers Home)
Before the start of the game, the Clippers were favored -5, and the Over/Under at 226.5. Clippers secured the NBA money line, covered the spread, and this game hit the UNDER at 200 points.
You can argue these two teams have home court advantage, given they share the same turf, Crypto.com Arena. This time, Kawhi Leonard came off the bench, after tearing his ACL in the playoffs. Although the Clippers had a team high 23 turnovers, they held the Lakers to 20 percent three-point shooting and outrebounded the Lakers 58-38. This was John Wall's season debut for the Clippers, and he added 14 points. Kawhi added 14 off the bench, along with 15 points for Paul George. On the Lakers side, Anthony Davis and Lebron James added 45 points combined, on 4-12 three-point shooting. In addition, Lebron had a double-double, adding 10 rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 2 points, and shot 0-11, 0-6 from the three-point. Guard Lonnie Walker IV added 26 points.
November 10th, 2022 – Clippers Win 114-101 (Clippers Home)
Before the start of the game, the Clippers were favored -3, and the Over/Under at 219. Clippers secured the money line, covered the spread, and this game hit the UNDER at 215 points.
The Clippers had their second win against the Lakers, with the help from superstar Paul George. George added 29 points, 1 steal, 6 rebounds, on 10-17 field goal shooting. Although the Clippers were without star Kawhi Leonard, other players stepped up. Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, and Ivica Zubac added double-digits in points. In addition, the Clippers added 37 points off the bench, shot 36.4 percent from the three, and 50.6 percent from the field. Unfortunately, the Lakers lost star Lebron James late in the game with a leg injury. James led the way with 30 points, 8 rebounds, on 12-22 shooting. Although the Lakers outrebounded the Clippers, they only had 22 points off the bench.
January 25th, 2023 – Clippers Win 133-115 (Lakers Home)
Before the start of the game, the Clippers were favored -4.5, and the Over/Under at 231.5. Clippers secured the money line, covered the spread, and this game hit the OVER at 248 points.
This was the first time this series the Los Angeles Clippers were able to start both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George and Leonard combined for 52 points and grabbed 9 rebounds each. In addition, Kawhi had 2 steals. Once again, the Clippers showed their depth, in which their bench added 53 points. The Clippers outrebounded the opposing team 47-32, shot 50 percent from the three, and shot 61 percent from the field. Although the Los Angeles Lakers only had 7 turnovers, Lebron’s 46 points, 2 steals, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds was not enough. With Anthony Davis out this game, Lakers struggled in the paint, and Russell Westbrook had an official bench role.
Regular Season Recap
Los Angeles Lakers
Overall: 41-38 Home: 21-18, Away: 20-20 Last 10: 7-3
It’s safe to say the Lakers are having a tumultuous season, especially in the beginning. It’s Darvin Hams first season, and the Lakers shot at the NBA Title was looking bleak before the trade deadline. Los Angeles decided to keep point guard Russell Westbrook after numerous trade talks to start the season. Both Anthony Davis and LeBron James have dealt with injuries this season, and the Lakers had a dreadful 0-5 start. By the time Christmas Day came, the Lakers were sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference at 13-20. In fact, the Lakers pushed over the .500 mark for the first time on March 31st, 2023. Los Angeles made some mid-season trades to better their roster, which included cutting the cord with Guard Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers Received Center Mo Bamba for Guard Patrick Beverly. Los Angeles went the next step and traded for an upgrade at the point guard position. The Lakers received Point Guard D’Angelo Russell, Guard Malik Beasley, and Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, in exchange for Russell Westbrook, Juan-Toscano Anderson, and Damian Jones, and a 2027 First-Round pick. The Lakers also received Forward Rui Hachimura from the Wizards in exchange for Guard Kendrick Nunn, and three second-round picks. The Lakers overhauled their roster and added a scoring guard in Russell. Not only do Beasley and Vanderbilt give this Lakers roster more depth, but it also gives them more power around stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Although Russell has been out with a foot injury, Los Angeles is 16-7 since the trade deadline. In addition, Guards Dennis Schroder and Austin Reaves have stepped up with D’Angelo Russell out. The Lakers rank 8th in league in points-per game (117.0), and 10th in field-goal percentage (48.1). They are top 6th in Rebounds per game (45.6) and are 3rd in the league in opponent three-point percentage (34.4). The Lakers won four in a row; can they make it out of the play-in-tournament?
Los Angeles Clippers
Overall: 41-38 Home: 21-18, Away: 20-20 Last 10: 5-5
It was only a few years ago, the Clippers signed superstars Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard. Unfortunately, due to injuries to both stars, they have only played 118 games together. Leonard was coming off a torn ACL and made his regular season debut on 10/20. Even worse, Kawhi Leonard missed nearly all of October, and most of November. Paul George has been relatively healthy until recently with a knee injury. Before the All-Star game, George carried the Clippers nightly. He’s averaging 23.8 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, on 45.7 percent field goal shooting. Although he is sidelined with a right Knee Sprain, the success of this Clippers team will ultimately boil down to the health of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Much like the Lakers, the Clippers made quite a few moves during the NBA Trade deadline. Los Angeles shipped off Veteran Point Guard John Wall, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, and received Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, Eric Gordon, and Russell Westbrook. Although Plumlee adds depth to their rotation, I don’t see Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon much of an upgrade over John Wall and Reggie Jackson. By Christmas Day, this was a 19-14 team, however, the Clippers are 10-10 since the NBA Trade Deadline. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in points-per game (113.1), tied for 2nd in three-point percentage (38.2), and 13th in opponent points-per game (112.9). As mentioned before, the Clippers will continue to struggle with PG13 out.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers
SF LeBron James (GTD)
PF Anthony Davis (GTD)
PG D’Angelo Russell (Probable)
C Mo Bamba (Probable)
G Scotty Pippen Jr (OUT)
Los Angeles Clippers
SF Marcus Morris (OUT)
SG Eric Gordon (Questionable)
F Paul George (OUT)
Key Players
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James
LeBron James is currently a game time decision with a foot injury. Although James battled injuries all season, he is having an incredible season. At 38 years old, James is averaging 28.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, and is shooting 50 percent from the field. He’s coming off a 37-point game, and the Lakers will see if he can suit up for tonight game. The Lakers are 18-15 this season when LeBron James and Anthony Davis both play on the court. It’s important to note LeBron James hit the game winner in an overtime win against the Utah Jazz last game. In three games against the Clippers this season, LeBron averages 32 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. In addition, he’s shooting 50 percent from the field, and 29.4 percent from three.
Anthony Davis
Like LeBron James, Anthony Davis has battled through injuries, and is a game time decision tonight with a foot injury. Like LeBron, Davis is averaging 26.5 points per game, 12.4 rebounds, and is shooting 54.9 percent from the field, which is 14th in the league. He recently scored 40 points and added 9 rebounds against the Rockets on 4/4. If he can suit up, the Lakers will rely on Davis and LeBron to avoid a 0-4 sweep against the Clippers. If Davis or LeBron can’t suit up for tonight’s game, look for Austin Reaves, Hachimura, and Vanderbilt to step up in their absence. In his two games against the Clippers, Davis is averaging 23 points per game and 8.5 rebounds. As far as shooting goes, Anthony Davis is shooting 56.3 percent from the field, and 40 percent from the three.
Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers are without star Paul George, who has carried this team all season long. It’s important to note Kawhi is coming off a 40-point game, and 8 rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kawhi can defend, score, and be the difference maker for this team, as long as he has some help. In two games against the Lakers this season, he’s averaged 19.5 points per game, 8 rebounds, on 60.7 percent from the field, and 12.5 percent three-point. Look for Mason Plumlee, Norman Powell, and their bench to make up for George.
Key Stats
•LA Lakers averages 117 points per game.
•LA Clippers averages 113.1 points per game.
•LA Lakers rank 21st in points allowed with 116.6 opponents points per game.
•LA Clippers rank 13th in points allowed with 112.9 opponents points per game.
• LA Lakers rank 17th in rebounds per game with 45.6.
•LA Clippers rank 7th in rebounds per game with 43.1.
•LA Lakers rank 16th in point differential at + 0.3.
•LA Clippers rank 18th in point differential at + 0.2.
•LA Lakers rank 16th in blocked shots with 4.6 per game.
•LA Clippers rank 21st in blocked shots with 4.4 per game.
•LA Lakers averages 34.7 percent from the 3-point, while LA Clippers averages 38.2 from the 3-point.
LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION
SPREAD: See Below.
-LA Lakers covered the spread in 5 of their last 10 games.
-LA Clippers covered the spread in 5 of their last 10 games.
-LA Lakers have a 39-39-1 record ATS this season.
-LA Clippers have a 39-40-0 record ATS this season.
-LA Clippers are 18-21-0 in HOME games ATS this season.
-LA Lakers are 19-20-1 in AWAY games ATS this season.
The Clippers covered the spread in all three games against the Lakers. If Anthony Davis and LeBron do suit up, I expect the Lakers to cover. If not, I’ll take the Clippers to cover.
MONEY LINE: See Below.
-LA Lakers won the Money Line 7 out of their last 10 games
-LA Clippers won the Money Line 5 of their last 10 games.
If Anthony Davis and Lebron suit up, this is a must win for the Lakers. They are tied with the Clippers in the 6th and 7th seed, and are currently in the play-in-tournament. If they can’t suit up, I’m choosing Clippers Money Line, with Kawhi Leonard leading the way.
OVER/UNDER- Under
-LA Lakers Avg +/- vs O/U Line: +1.37
-LA Clippers Avg +/- vs O/U Line: +1.39
-LA Lakers O/U Record: 41-38-0
-LA Clippers O/U Record: 37-42-0
-LA Lakers hit the OVER 6 times in their last 10 games
-LA Clippers hit the OVER 6 times in their last 10 games
The Under has hit two out of their three matchups this season. If Anthony Davis and LeBron James are out, I can’t see the Lakers making up those numbers. Since Paul George is out for the Clippers, I like the under here.
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Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of Ballislife.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports
