Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Picks, and Odds

Nationally televised NBA action will conclude on Friday night with a crosstown rivalry between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Coverage begins from Crypto.com Arena at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Lakers 114, Clippers 108

Best Bets

Lakers -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Clippers vs. Lakers Predictions

After finishing seventh in the West with a record of 42-30 SU last year, the Lakers kept that same ball rolling with another frustrating start to this year, as Frank Vogel’s squad opened with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS skid – which was primarily attributed to growing pains associated with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point though, considering LeBron James and company enter Friday riding a bumpy 16-20 SU and 18-18 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 22 of those matchups.

On the other hand, the Clippers posted a solid start despite the absence of five-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, as L. A. kicked things off with a relatively solid 16-15 SU run – with ten of those victories coming by double-digits.

The Clippers have struggled since the latest injury to Paul George though, considering L. A. enters Friday riding a rocky 14-16 SU skid – while scoring just 108.3 OPPG and allowing 110.2 DPPG across that span.

I’ll back the Lakers here, as the Clippers are 3-4 SU across their last seven games, while surrendering an average of 114.4 DPPG during that timeframe – setting the stage for a tough neutral-site matchup against a Lakers squad that’s scored 110+ PTS in six of their last nine events (112 PPG).

Clippers vs. Lakers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Clippers vs. Lakers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Pacific
  • Date: Friday, February 25, 2022
  • Venue: Crypto.com Arena
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Injury Report

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 30-31
  • ATS: 30-31
  • O/U: 30-30-1

Most bettors lost faith in the Clippers following Kawhi’s devastating injury last postseason – but it turned out, L. A. is still a decent team without him, considering they efficiently handled business against Utah for the remainder of their second-round series, and then went toe-to-toe with Phoenix for the length of a competitive six-game conference final set.

The same cannot be said when George is also removed from the equation though, considering the Clippers are just 14-16 SU since PG’s latest injury, having scored 106 PTS or less in 14 of those matchups (108.3 PPG) – and surrendered 110+ PTS in 17 of them (110.2 PPG).

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 27-31
  • ATS: 26-32
  • O/U: 32-25-1

Regardless of the circumstances, hovering below .500 is an undeniable disappointment for the Lakers, but to be fair, they’ve been banged up from the start, so it’s tough to write them off completely, considering LeBron James has already missed 17 games this season – and Anthony Davis has missed 21.

Despite their shortcomings, the Lakers rank ninth in the West with a record of 27-31 SU, positioning them at the tail end of a tight cluster with the Nuggets (32-25), Timberwolves (30-27), and Clippers (29-30). 

There’s still plenty of time for the Lakers to turn things around and push for higher seeding; they just need to stay healthy, and ultimately, shoot the ball better, considering L. A. ranks 24th in offensive efficiency and 10th in scoring (1.059 OE, 110.9 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 16th in defensive efficiency (1.073 DE).

The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.

Clippers vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

The Clippers swept a three-game regular-season set against the Lakers last year, with the first of those contests going over the total at a score of 116-109 – while the ensuing two affairs both stayed under at an average of 201 PPG. The Clippers are also 2-0 SU against the Lakers this season, with both matchups soaring over at an average of 227.5 PPG.

Key Players to Watch

  • LAC: Reggie Jackson - PG (16.6 PPG, 3.4 REB, 4.5 AST)
  • LAC: Marcus Morris - PF (16.2 PPG, 4.8 REB, 2.2 AST)
  • LAL: LeBron James - SF (29.1 PPG, 7.9 REB, 6.5 AST)
  • LAL: Russell Westbrook - PG (18.3 PPG, 7.8 REB, 7.5 AST)

Clippers vs. Lakers Betting Conclusion

After snapping a three-game losing streak with a win over Utah in their final event before the All-Star Break, the Lakers enter Friday’s neutral-site matchup as short favorites over the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena – marking the seventh underdog tag given to the Clippers across their last eight games.

I’ll back the Lakers here, as the Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last five matchups against King James and company, but my vote of confidence belongs to the far more talented squad in Friday’s event – which is undeniably the Lakers.

Clippers vs. Lakers Betting Trends

  • The Clippers are 4-1 ATS In their last five games.
  • The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
  • The Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last six matchups against the Lakers.
  • The total has gone OVER in six of the last nine Lakers' games.
  • The total has gone OVER in seven of the last nine Clippers' games.