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

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

Score Prediction

Lakers 109, Clippers 105

Best Bets

Under 218.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Lakers vs. Clippers 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 season, as L. A. opened with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS skid – which was primarily chalked up to growing pains coupled with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point though, considering L. A. enters Thursday riding a frustrating 16-23 SU and 18-21 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 24 of those matchups.

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

Paul George’s absence doesn’t seem to carry much weight either, considering the Clippers enter Thursday riding a sturdy 17-16 SU and 19-14 ATS stretch – despite scoring just 107.9 OPPG and allowing 109.3 DPPG across that timeframe.

I’ll take the under here, the Lakers and Clippers both desperately need wins down the stretch, so Thursday’s nightcap should result in another hard-fought defensive battle like the one that took place between these teams last Friday (105-102).

Lakers vs. Clippers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Lakers vs. Clippers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Pacific
  • Date: Thursday, March 3, 2022
  • Venue: Crypto.com Arena
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • TV-Time: TNT - 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 27-34
  • ATS: 26-34-1
  • O/U: 32-28-1

Regardless of the circumstances, sitting below .500 is undeniably disappointing for this year’s Lakers squad, but to be fair, they’ve encountered several injury hurdles, so it’s tough to write them off completely, consideringLeBron James has already missed his fair share of games this season (17) – while Anthony Davis has missed 24, and he’s slated to miss at least two more weeks with a mid-foot sprain.

The Lakers still have time to turn things around and push for higher seeding; they just need to get healthy first, and ultimately, shoot the ball better, considering L. A. ranks 24th in offensive efficiency and 13th in scoring (1.055 OE, 110.4 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 17th in defensive efficiency (1.074 DE).

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

  • SU: 33-31
  • ATS: 32-32
  • O/U: 30-33-1

Most bettors lost faith in the Clippers following Kawhi’s devastating injury last postseason, but it turns 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 Clippers’ supporting cast doesn’t seem to be deterred by the absence of George either, considering Tyronn Lue’s squad boasts records of 17-16 SU and 19-14 ATS across their last 33 games – despite scoring just 107.9 OPPG and allowing 109.3 DPPG during that timeframe.

The Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Clippers. (AP)

Lakers vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

The Clippers swept a three-game regular-season set against the Lakers last year, with the first matchup 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 3-0 SU against the Lakers this season, with the first two matchups soaring over the number at an average of 227.5 PPG – while their most recent meeting stayed under with a score of 105-102 (U 221).

Key Players to Watch

  • LAL: LeBron James - SF (28.9 PPG, 8 REB, 6.3 AST)
  • LAL: Malik Monk - SG (12.7 PPG, 3.3 REB, 2.5 AST)
  • LAC: Reggie Jackson - PG (16.7 PPG, 3.6 REB, 4.6 AST)
  • LAC: Marcus Morris - PF (16 PPG, 4.6 REB, 2.1 AST)

Lakers vs. Clippers Betting Conclusion

After extending their win streak to four games with a victory over Houston on Tuesday night (W, 113-100), the Clippers return home for Thursday’s contest as two-point underdogs against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena – marking the eighth time the Clippers have been underdogs across their last 11 games.

I’ll take the under here, as we should see a low-scoring back-and-forth battle between a Clippers squad that’s averaging just 109.7 OPPG across their latest 6-2 SU run – and a Lakers squad that’s scored 106 PTS or less in five of their last six games (104.5 OPPG).

Lakers vs. Clippers Betting Trends

  • The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.
  • The Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Lakers.
  • The total has gone UNDER in five of the last six Lakers' games.
  • The Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.