The Los Lakers and LA Clippers will battle at the Crypto.com Arena tonight to close out a 13-game NBA slate. In this post, we’ll review the best Lakers-Clippers bets by showcasing odds and making other predictions and picks.
Basketball in Los Angeles is not where it’s supposed to be. The Lakers missed out on the playoffs last season (even with two extra spots available), and their fate looks similar for 2022-2023. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 6-5 and could be without Kawhi Leonard for a long stretch.
Tonight the Clippers are favored by 3 points, and the game total is set at 219.5. Let’s break down the best Lakers-Clippers bets for Wednesday.
Best Lakers-Clippers Bets & Predictions
LeBron James looking to retain his throne
After missing their last game in Utah, LeBron James is expected to suit up for the Lakers tonight.
The Lakers rank 26th in points per game and field goal percentage and are dead last in 3-point shooting. While their 23.6 free-throw attempts per game are middle of the pack, they average just 23.2 assists per game, which ranks 24th. This is with Russell Westbrook and James in the lineup, both with career assist averages above 7.4 per game. They are both above 6.0 assists per game this season, but no one else on the team is above 2.6.
Lonnie Walker has given the team a nice scoring punch at 15.4 points per game, but he is shooting just 29% from downtown. The Lakers’ 103.5 offensive rating is the worst in the NBA, and their 49.7 rebounds allowed per game rank 29th. However, there are some bright spots.
Their 110.8 defensive rating ranks 12th, and their opponent 3-point percentage of 34.6 ranks 11th. The best thing going for the Lakers is Anthony Davis. He’s played in 9 of 10 games, and his 23.2 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game are his best numbers since 2020.
Paul George Elevating Clippers Offense
The Clippers offense has struggled too. Its 104.7 offensive rating is bottom of the barrel, just ahead of the Lakers. Luckily, the Clippers defense has kept them in games and above .500. Its 107.7 defensive rating ranks fourth in the NBA, and they do a good job limiting fast break points and points off turnovers (12th and 13th). The Clippers allow opponents to shoot just 34.3% from downtown, so don’t expect the Lakers to make many 3’s tonight (they average nine 3’s a game).
The Clippers run at a pace of 99.5 (20th) and allow just 107.5 points per game (7th). With the offensive struggles of the Lakers, this it’s going to be a challenge for them to score points on this Clipper defense.
The offense runs through Paul George, and the numbers prove it. When George scores 26 or more points, the Clippers are 5-1. They are 1-3 in their other four games, and George didn’t score more than 16 points in any of them. The one win in that group was Oct. 20 against the Lakers.
John Wall is getting into shape and played more than 27 minutes in each of the last two games. He’s averaging 13.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per game (leads the team). Those numbers should increase as his minutes do. Norman Powell has yet to find his shot, shooting just 42.9% from the field and 27.5% from 3. He’s a 38% 3-point shooter for his career. He’s also averaged more than 18 points per game the past three seasons and is at just 11 points per game so far. This offense should get going soon, and tonight could be the night.
Final Odds & Pick
These teams played just two weeks ago, with the Clippers winning 103-97. Westbrook went 0-for-11 that game. That said, the outcome of this game will be determined by the Clippers offense. If they play their game and shoot at a decent clip, they will win. The Lakers are 0-4 on the road, and although this is in their home stadium, the Clippers logo will be at center court. The Lakers are 2-8-0 against the spread, while the Clippers are 4-7-0. The city of Los Angeles combines for a 7-14-0 over/under record.
Patrick Beverley, Davis and James are all listed probable, while Walker is listed questionable for this one. Leonard is out for the Clippers, but they should have everyone else. The Clippers have won the last eight games in this matchup. That winning streak will continue tonight, and they will cover the spread.
Best Lakers-Clippers Bet: Clippers -3 (-107, PointsBet)
