Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick & Predictions

Los Angeles Lakers (22-22 SU, 19-25 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (27-14 SU, 22-19 ATS)

When: Tuesday, January 23rd, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: TNT

Point Spread: LAL +8/LAC -8

Total: 229.5

Money Line: Los Angeles Lakers +285/-360

Notable Injuries

Lakers

• Anthony Davis (Probable) Achilles
• LeBron James (Out) Ankle
• Jarred Vanderbilt (Probable) Heel
• Gabe Vincent (Out) Knee

Clippers

• Ivica Zubac (Out) Calf
• Moussa Diabate (Out) Hand

In a Western Pacific Division matchup, the Lakers (+285) visit the Clippers (-360) at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is set for 10:00 ET and the game will be televised on TNT.

Los Angeles (27-14) is currently on a two-game win streak and sits fourth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Lakers (22-22) are ninth in the conference and fourth in the Pacific Division.

Recent Form

In their last game, the Lakers defeated the Trail Blazers by a score of 134-110. The combined scoring total of 244 points easily surpassed the O/U line of 230 points. LA was favored by 11.5 points in the game.

For the season, the Lakers have an O/U record of 23-21, and the over has hit in their last two games. Today’s O/U line of 229.5 is just below their season average of 230.4 points per game.

On the road, the Lakers are 6-14 straight up and 8-12 against the spread. Their ATS record on the road is 8-12, and they have lost two straight games ATS on the road.

As underdogs, the Lakers are 5-13 this season and 8-10 ATS as underdogs. Their scoring margin as underdogs is -7.8 points per game.

This season, the Lakers are 22-22 overall, which puts them in 9th place in the Western Conference. Against the West, they are 17-14 and 5-3 in their division.

As the Clippers look to extend their home winning streak to eight games, they are favored by 8 points against the Lakers. This season, the Clippers are 27-6 as the favorite, and they have covered the spread in their last three games as the favorite.

On the season, the Clippers have an ATS record of 22-19, and they have covered the spread in their last two games. At home, they are 13-9 ATS, while going 9-10 ATS on the road.

In their win over the Nets, the Clippers covered the spread as 10.5-point favorites, and the game finished with a combined score of 239 points. The O/U line for that game was 227.

This season, the Clippers have an O/U record of 19-22, and their games have averaged a combined scoring total of 229.9 points. In their last two games, the Clippers have gone over the O/U line.

In the Western Conference, the Clippers are currently in 4th place with a record of 27-14. Within the Pacific Division, they are in 1st place. Against other Western Conference teams, the Clippers are 20-11 compared to 7-3 against the East.

The Historicals

Across the previous five meetings between the teams, the Clippers have an average scoring margin of +6 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. A combined average of 234 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

This season, the Lakers have been an above-average offensive team, averaging 114.8 points per game (17th). On the road, they are scoring 113.6 points per game.

When it comes to pace, the Lakers are 7th in the league at 100.5 possessions per game. In terms of field goal percentage, they are 7th in the NBA at 48%.

One area where the Lakers have struggled is three-point shooting. They are 28th in the league in three-point makes per game at 11. On average, they are attempting 30.4 threes per contest.

On average, the Los Angeles defense is giving up 115.6 points per game (16th). Right now, they are on a three game streak of giving up fewer points than their season average. On two-point field goal attempts, the Lakers’ defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 53.5% and allowing 37.7% from beyond the arc.

Heading into tonight’s game, the Clippers are one of the most efficient three-point shooting teams in the league. They are currently leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at 39%. On average, they make 13.2 threes per game, which is 11th in the league.

When it comes to scoring, the Clippers are 9th in the NBA, averaging 117.8 points per game. At home, they are scoring slightly more than their season average at 118.4 points per game.

Overall, the Clippers have been an above-average offensive team this season. They are 5th in field goal percentage at 49% and 4th in true shooting percentage. In terms of pace, they are 26th in the league.

This season, the Clippers’ defense has been impressive, holding the 9th position in the league while permitting an average of 112.0 points per contest. When it comes to forced turnovers, the Clippers are forcing 12.3 per game, which is 9th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 16th in blocked shots at 5.3 per game.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Los Angeles has an ATS record of just 3-7. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 116 points per game.
• In their last five home games, Los Angeles has averaged 115 points per game while allowing 110. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight-up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs. the spread was just 2-3.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 8-2 while going 9-1 straight up.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Without Lebron James in the lineup, I don’t see the Lakers being able to hang with the Clippers. The way I’m playing this one is to take the Clippers at -8.