Blake Daniels, January 24, 2023

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Cross-town rivals face off on Tuesday night when the Clippers visit the Lakers at the Crypo.com Arena.

The Clippers are 25-24 SU and 23-26 ATS on the season and they are in 6th place in the Western Conference team standings, 9 games behind the leaders Denver Nuggets. LA is just 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played but has won their last two, including a 112-98 road win over the Dallas Mavericks last Saturday.

The Lakers are 22-25 SU and 22-23-2 ATS on the season and they are in 12th place in the Western Conference team standings, 11 games off the pace but just two from the 6th spot currently occupied by the Clippers. The Lakers have won 8 out of their last 12 games played, including their last two. The Lake Show rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers last Sunday.

LA Clippers

The Clippers won their second straight game after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 112-98 last Sunday. LA trailed by 5 points at the half but put on the clamps in the second half, holding the Mavs to just 19 fourth-quarter points.

 Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 30 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and zero turnovers while Paul George added 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, but had five turnovers. Leonard has averaged 26.9 points per game in his last 8 games played and is slowly getting back to his old form. One game earlier, the Klaw put up 36 points in a win over the lowly San Antonio Spurs.

The Clippers are 15-15 SU in Western Conference play. They are also 4-2 SU in games decided by three points or less. They are 2-0 SU against the Lakers this season, including a 114-101 win in their most recent meeting last November 10th, in a game where Paul George scored 29 points.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers also head to this matchup with back-to-back wins. The Purple and Gold edged the Memphis Grizzlies 122-121 two games ago and they rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers the last time out. The Lakers outscored the Blazers 75-41 in the second half to pull off the victory.

LeBron James continued his strong play with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and two blocks shots. Thomas Bryant also had a big game for the Lakers with 31 points and 14 rebounds while Dennis Schroder added 24 points and 8 assists. Schroder produced the steal and game-winning basket against the Grizzlies two games ago.

Los Angeles is 11-16 SU against Western Conference foes. They rank 6th in the conference in scoring 117.6 points per game while also shooting 48.5% from the field. LeBron James is putting up 28.6 points per game in his last 10 games played while Russell Westbrook is averaging 15.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game this season.

Clippers vs Lakers SU Prediction

The Clippers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games played against the Lakers. The Clippers are also 4-1 SU in their last five head-to-head meetings versus the Lakers as the road team.

LA Clippers SU trends:

• The Clippers are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games played overall.
• The Clippers are 2-3 SU in their last 5 games played on the road.
• The Clippers are 4-8 SU in their last 12 January games.
• The Clippers are 15-15 SU in 30 games played against the Western Conference this season.
• The Clippers are 8-8 SU in 16 road games against opponents from the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers SU trends:

• The Lakers are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games played.
• The Lakers are 4-3 SU in their last 7 home games.
• The Lakers are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games played against the Pacific Division.
• The Lakers are 1-8 SU in their last 9 Tuesday games.
• The Lakers are 11-16 SU in their last 27 games against the Western Conference.

The Clippers entered the 2019-20 season as the preseason favorites to win the 2020 NBA title. However, they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Nugget in one of the biggest collapses in NBA playoff history. Since then, the Clippers have seen their stars – Kawhi Leonard and Paul George go in and out of their line-up due to injury. This season has been no exception.

LA was off to a strong start but they have struggled as of late, going 4-6 in their last 10 games played. However, Leonard and George have played together in the team’s last two games, the first time they’ve done so in 2023. As a result, the Clippers have won back-to-back games and they are looking to continue their dominance over their cross-town rivals.

The Lakers were off to a terrible start but they started to pick up the pace when Anthony Davis was healthy. Then Davis got hurt again but instead of folding, the Lakers have fought back behind LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder, and Thomas Bryant to win 8 out of their last 12 games played.

Los Angeles expects AD to return very soon and they also traded Kendrick Nunn for wing player Rui Hachimura. Hachimura isn’t expected to join the team until at least Wednesday but the Lakers should be in good spirits here knowing that backup and AD are coming soon.

LeBron James is listed as questionable with left knee soreness but he’s been tagged as such in previous games and has ended up playing. AD is still out while Hachimura isn’t available on Tuesday as well. Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves are also out due to injury. Meanwhile, the Clippers will be without John Wall and Luke Kennard.

Although the Lakers are without AD, I think that this game will be much closer than the other two games. The Lake Show is playing much better these days while the Clippers aren’t in their best form. I expect a well-fought contest between these two rivals.

I won’t blame you if you go with the Lakers but I think that the Clippers are steadier and have been more consistent this season. Give me the Clippers to win by less than five points.

Prediction: LA Clippers

Clippers vs Lakers ATS Prediction

The Clippers are 37-17 ATS in their last 54 games played against the Lakers. The Clippers are also 11-0 ATS in their last 11 games as the road team against the Lakers.

LA Clippers ATS trends:

• The Clippers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall
• The Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
• The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.
• The Clippers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 January games played.
• The Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games played against the Pacific Division.
• The Clippers are 13-17 ATS in their last 30 games played against the Western Conference.
• The Clippers are 7-9 ATS in 16 road games played against the Western Conference.
• The Clippers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Clippers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record.

Los Angeles Lakers ATS trends:

• The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
• The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win.
• The Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up win.
• The Lakers are 6-16-1 ATS in their last 23 games versus a team with a winning straight-up record.
• The Lakers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.

There’s no question that the Clippers have owned the Lakers in recent years but right now, the Lakers are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games played while the Clippers are just 4-9 SU in their last 13 games played.

LeBron James looks to be playing better as he nears Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record. He was just named the Western Conference Player of the Week. Given his age, however, it’s a wonder if he can keep up this pace the rest of the way. But right now, there’s no doubt that LBJ is forcing the issue, attacking the basket, and making things happen.

The Lakers have won three out of their last four home game and are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers must be feeling good right now with AD expected to return soon and Rui Hachimura added to their lineup.

I think that the Clippers are still the better team but I like these surging Lakers at +4 points at home. I’m not sure if the Lakers will win but if LeBron plays, the Lakers should cover the spread.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers +4

Clippers vs Lakers Over/Under Prediction

The under is 5-4-1 in the last 10 head-to-head meetings between these two teams. The total has gone under in six out of their last 8 games with the Clippers as the road team.

LA Clippers over/under trends:

• The under is 6-2 in the Clippers’ last 8 overall.
• The over is 13-4 in the Clippers’ last 17 road games.
• The under is 4-1 in the Clippers’ last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 8-2 in the Clippers’ last 10 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-2 in the Clippers’ last 8 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The over is 5-2 in the Clippers’ last 7 games following an ATS win.
• The under is 5-2 in the Clippers’ last 7 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The over is 12-5-1 in the Clippers’ last 18 road games against a team with a winning home record.

Los Angeles Lakers over/under trends:

• The under is 6-1 in the Lakers’ last 7 overall.
• The under is 4-1 in the Lakers’ last 5 home games.
• The under is 4-0 in the Lakers’ last 4 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
• The under is 6-1 in the Lakers’ last 7 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 6-1 in the Lakers’ last 7 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game
• The under is 5-1 in the Lakers’ last 6 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The under is 16-4-2 in the Lakers’ last 22 games against a team with a winning straight-up record.
• The under is 6-2 in the Lakers’ last 8 games following a straight-up win.
• The under is 7-3 in the Lakers’ last 10 games following an ATS win.

The first two meetings between these cross-town rivals went below 234 points. The Clippers beat the Lakers 103-97 and 114-101 in their previous two meetings. While the Lakers play with the second-fastest pace in the league and prefer to beat their opponents with scoring rather than defense, the Clippers play a deliberate style and are just 25th in the league at 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes.

Neither team is a Deadshot from a three-point distance and the Clippers definiitely has gotten better with Kawhi Leonard back. The total has gone under in all but one of the Lakers’ last seven games played while the Clippers have seen the total hit under in 9 of 10 against the Pacific Division.

Prediction: Under 230