The teams from Los Angeles will try to return from the All-Star break on a winning note when the Lakers and Clippers collide in a key Western Conference game on Friday at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. The Clippers (30-31) sit in eighth place in the West standings, 1½ games ahead of the ninth-place Lakers (27-31). Both teams need to make a second half push in order to avoid the four-team play-in tournament. The Lakers entered the All-Star break on a prolonged drought, having gone 6-12 in their last 18 games. Meanwhile the Clippers have won three of their last four. LeBron James (knee) is listed as questionable, while Anthony Davis (ankle) is out for the Lakers. The Clippers remain without Paul George (elbow), Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Norman Powell (foot).
Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Lakers as one-point favorites in the latest Lakers vs. Clippers odds, while the over-under is 223. Before making any Clippers vs. Lakers picks or NBA predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 69-41 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Clippers, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Clippers vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Clippers spread: Lakers -1
- Lakers vs. Clippers over-under: 223 points
- Lakers vs. Clippers money line: Lakers -115, Clippers -105
- LAL: LeBron James ranks third in the NBA in scoring (29.1 points per game)
- LAC: The Clippers rank fourth in the league in 3-point percentage (36.3)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Why the Lakers can cover
James, assuming he’s able to play, is still the most talented player on the floor. The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is averaging 29.1 points per game, which ranks third in the NBA, behind only Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. James also is averaging 6.5 assists per game (16th in the league) and 7.9 rebounds (33rd).
In addition, the Lakers face one of the least efficient offensive teams in the NBA. The Clippers average just 107.6 points per 100 possessions, which ranks 26th in the league. The Clippers also are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, ranking 27th in rebound percentage (48.5).
Why the Clippers can cover
The Clippers have dominated the recent series against their rivals. The Clippers have won the last five meetings between the teams and haven’t lost to the Lakers since March 2020. The streak includes two Clippers victories this season, with the latest being a 111-110 win on Feb. 3.
In addition, the Clippers face a Lakers squad that has been struggling mightily. LeBron & Co. have gone 6-12 in their last 18 games, dropping from the sixth seed in the West to the ninth. Point guard Russell Westbrook, in particular, has struggled, averaging just 15.9 points a game during that stretch.
How to make Lakers vs. Clippers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, predicting a combined 217 points scored. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s Clippers vs. Lakers pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Clippers vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Lakers vs. Clippers spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
