The 2021-22 NBA season continues Thursday, February 3, with six games on the card, so we are taking a closer look at the battle of LA to get you the best Lakers vs. Clippers betting pick along with the latest odds update on MyBookie Sportsbook.
The Lakers and Clippers continue their four-game Pacific Division series with Game 2. Back in December, the Clippers upset the Lakers as 2.5-point underdogs, 119-115, to record their fourth consecutive victory over the city rival.
The Lakers struggle without LeBron
The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers will have to deal with fatigue in this matchup. They’ll play on the second day of a back-to-back set, coming off a home clash against the Portland Trail Blazers which has been excluded from this preview.
The Lakers are without their best player. LeBron James missed the last three games due to a knee injury, and the Lakers went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS in that stretch. James has been outstanding as of late, averaging 32.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists a night over his last 15 appearances.
Los Angeles desperately needs more from Russell Westbrook, who’s recorded 18.8 points, 6.8 boards, and 5.5 assists in his last ten outings. Anthony Davis has just returned from an injury, while Malik Monk will try to stay hot after making 15 of his last 32 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Clippers wrapped up their eight-game road trip with a tough defeat
The Los Angeles Clippers fell to 26-27 straight up and ATS on the season following a 122-116 defeat at the Indiana Pacers this past Monday. Playing as small 1-point dogs, the Clippers finished their eight-game road trip with four wins and four losses.
LA struggled defensively down the stretch, allowing 38 fourth-quarter points to the lowly Pacers. Furthermore, the Clippers yielded 31 assists and 68 points in the paint in a rare disappointing performance on the defensive end.
The Clippers are without both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they still surrender only 108.0 points per 100 possessions (6th in the NBA). LA ranks third in the opponent 3-point percentage (33.1%), while the Clippers’ offense tallies only 107.4 points per 100 possessions (26th) on 44.9% shooting from the field (tied-22nd).
Trends:
LA Lakers:
- 0-5 ATS in the last five games against the Clippers
LA Clippers:
- 7-2 ATS in the last nine games overall
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick
We’ll see a great battle between the short-handed Clippers and Lakers, who continue their battle for the playoff spot. It could easily go either way, although LeBron James’ absence is a massive blow for this Lakers team.
The Clippers are 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last five games against the Lakers, so I’ll follow this betting trend. Tyronn Lue’s boys lean on a stout defense and get used to playing without Kawhi and PG-13, while the Lebron-less Lakers need to be at their best on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Pick: Take Los Angeles Clippers
The Total:
The previous battle of LA produced 234 points in total, but both LeBron James and Paul George were on the court. This time around, the injury-depleted Clippers and Lakers should struggle to provide a high-scoring affair.
The Lakers prefer to play at a fast pace and will certainly look for easy points in transition, but they could easily struggle down the stretch, playing without rest. The under is 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings between the Lakers and Clippers.
Pick: Go under
