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The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the Battle of Los Angeles on Friday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Half Game Ahead Of Lakers
The Los Angeles Clippers have won three in a row and are 20-14 on the season. The Clippers are coming off a Wednesday win over the Sacramento Kings, the team which beat the Lakers on Thursday night in the latter’s first game without LeBron James who is resting with a groin injury. The Clippers are half a game ahead of the Lakers in the team standings and hope to increase that lead with a win on Friday night.
The Clippers are the third highest scoring team in the league at 115.9 points per game. They are also ranked 11th in the NBA off the glass at 45.9 rebounds per game and 23rd in passing at 22.6 assists per game. The Clippers have the 6th worst scoring defense in the league though at 114.7 points per game allowed.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 12/28/18
Moneyline Odds: Clippers -215, Lakers +185
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/28/18
Life Without The King
The Los Angeles Lakers learned how difficult life is without their king. The Lakers led the Sacramento Kings by double digits with six minutes to play but instead of finishing strong, the Lakers collapsed in the final minutes of the game, leading to a buzzer beating three pointer by the Kings. As a result, the Lakers lost their first game without LeBron James.
The Lakers are 9th in the NBA in scoring at 113.2 points per game. The Purple and Gold are allowing 111.0 points per game which is the 17th ranked scoring defense in the league. They are also 9th off the boards with an average of 46.1 rebounds per game. The Lakers are 14th in passing with 24.4 assists per game.
Who Wins?
The Clippers and Lakers have played in a total of 216 regular season games with the Lakers winning 146 of those games. However, the Clippers have dominated the Lakers since the retirement of Kobe Bryant and have taken six out of their last seven meetings.
The Clippers are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played and are 8-10 SU in 18 road games played this season. Heading to Thursday’s games, the Lakers are 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played. The Lakers are 12-5 at home this season. However, since the Clippers also call Staples Center home, it’s worth noting that the are 12-4 SU at Staples Center this season. Head to head, the Clippers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 meetings.
The Lakers played well without LeBron James and Rajon Rondo but without their top two leaders, they collapsed in the final six minutes of the game and ended up getting beaten by a buzzer beater from Bogdanovic. Against the Clippers, the Lakers will miss James, Rondo and McGee even more. The Clippers are playing good basketball right now and should beat the undermanned Lakers squad.
We’re picking the Los Angeles Clippers to beat the Los Angeles Lakers on 12/28/18.
Other Bets To Make
The Clippers are 20-14 ATS in 34 games played this season and are 9-9 ATS in their 18 road games played so far. The Lakers are 15-19 ATS on the season. The Purple and Gold are 8-9 ATS in 17 home games played so far. The Clippers are 11-5 ATS at Staples Center when calling it home this season. Head to head, the Clippers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 12/28/18
Spread Odds: Clippers -5.5 (-110), Lakers +5.5 (-110)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/28/18
The Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games played, 4-0 ATS in their last four games against teams from the West and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 Friday games. They are also coming to this game with a healthy lineup. I think Los Angeles’ injuries will take a toll here.
Prediction: Clippers -5.5
The over is 21-12-1 in the Clippers’ 34 games played this season. The total has gone over in 10 out of the 18 road games played by the Clippers. The total has gone under in 21 out of the 34 games played by the Lakers this season. The Lake Show has seen the undergo 12-4-1 in 17 home games played. Head to head, the under is 6-4 in their last 10 meetings.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 12/28/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 229.5 -110, Under 229.5 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 12/28/18
The Lakers are missing several key players here and their absence may be too much to make up for on Friday night. But remember that Los Angeles has a deep lineup which could fill in the scoring void left by their injured stars. These are two Top 10 scoring teams with mediocre defense. I expect a shootout in the battle of Los Angeles.
Prediction: Over 229.5
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