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Lakers at Clippers Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting Odds Breakdown

The Clippers opened as a 2-point home favorite with a total of 225.5.

Eye Test

The Lakers (48-13) made a huge statement on Friday night by knocking off the Bucks, 113-103 at Staples Center in a battle of the teams with the best records in the NBA. LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 67 points in the victory, in spite of the duo combining to shoot 1-of-11 from three-point range. The Lakers own a five-game edge over the Clippers for first place in the Pacific division, but the Lakers are four games behind the Bucks for the top record in the league.

The Clippers (43-19) have caught fire since struggling in mid-February by winning six consecutive games. Yes, the Clippers are still looking up at the Lakers in the division, but Doc Rivers is showcasing a healthy squad behind Kawhi Leonard (26.9 ppg), who has missed only one game since January 24. Paul George (20.9 ppg) has struggled to score recently by putting up 16 points or less in six of the last eight games, even though he posted 24 points in each of his last two home contests.

Current Form

Since losing to the Rockets at home on February 6, the Lakers have won 10 of their last 11 games overall, while posting a 5-1 record in their last six road games. Although the Lakers aren't traveling on Sunday with the game being played at Staples Center, they own the best road record in the league at 25-6.

The Clippers are looking to tie their longest winning streak of the season at seven with a victory on Sunday as L.A. has defeated four straight teams that are currently playoff squads. The Clips are coming off a successful two-game road sweep of the Thunder and Rockets, capped off by Thursday's 120-105 triumph at Houston. The Rockets were held to 7-of-42 shooting from three-point range, as the Clippers have limited five of the last six opponents to 105 points or fewer.

Head-to-Head

The Clippers rallied past the Lakers in the season opener as 3.5-point home underdogs on October 22 in a 112-102 victory. Leonard scored 30 points in his Clippers' debut, as they outscored the Lakers by 10 points in the fourth quarter after things they were tied following three quarters of play.

The two L.A. rivals met again on Christmas with the Lakers as the host team, but the Purple and Gold squandered a 12-point halftime lead in a 111-106 setback as 2.5-point favorites. James struggled from the floor by hitting 9-of-24 shots from the field, including 2-of-12 from three-point range for 23 points. The third matchup scheduled for January 28 was postponed to early April following the death of former Lakers' star Kobe Bryant just two days earlier.

Inside the Stats (Home/Away)

Points Per Game:
L.A. Lakers 114.6 (114.3)
L.A. Clippers 116.2 (118.1)

Points Allowed:
L.A. Lakers 107.0 (108.8)
L.A. Clippers 109.7 (108.4)

Home-Away Records

-- L.A. Lakers 25-6 SU, 17-14 ATS
-- L.A. Clippers 25-6 SU, 18-13 ATS

Situational (Vs. Pacific Division)

The Lakers are 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS mark within the division with the two losses coming to the Clippers. This is the first time this season the Lakers are playing in the underdog role against a division foe.

The Clippers own a 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS record against the Pacific division, as the three losses came to the Kings twice and the Suns. The 'under' has hit in four of five home games within the division.

Score Projection

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Betcha Didn’t Know

The Lakers have been fantastic in the underdog role this season by covering in seven of eight opportunities. In all seven covers, the Lakers won outright, including victories at Denver, Houston, Dallas twice, and Utah.

VI Prediction Tool

The VegasInsider.com Prediction resource gives an edge to either team in eight specific categories listed above and there are instances where both clubs receive a positive edge (). Depending on how you weigh the below factors could provide more reason to fade or follow those teams in your wagers.

VI Edge Predictions
Categories Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Clippers
Eye Test -
Current Form
Head-to-Head -
Inside the Stats
Home-Away -
Situational -
Score Projection -
Betcha Didn't Know -
Expert Picks - -

Total Talk (Over-Under)

L.A. Lakers: 30-31 (Away, 17-14 Over)
L.A. Clippers: 28-33-1 (Home, 15-15-1 Over)

The Lakers are riding a 10-4 'over' run in their last 14 road games, but have seen the 'under' cash in four of the past six contests overall.

The Clippers are 7-3 to the 'under' in the last 10 games, but the 'over' has been drilled in the past two home games with L.A. scoring 132 and 136 points in those wins.

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