Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Dec. 3, 2021

Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Nationally televised NBA coverage will conclude on Friday night with a heavyweight cross-town rivalry between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Coverage begins from the Staples Center at 10:00 p.m. on NBA League Pass.

Score Prediction

Lakers 109, Clippers 104

Best Bets

Lakers +2 (-110) at DraftKings

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions

After finishing fourth in the West with a record of 47-25 last year, the Clippers stumbled out to a slow start to the new season, as Paul George and company kicked things off with losses in four-of-five games – despite being favored in three of those contests.

The Clippers have gradually picked up the pace since starting 1-4 though, considering Ty Lue’s team enters Friday’s contest sitting at a pedestrian 11-11 tally – which ranks 7th in the West.

On the other hand, the Lakers posted a solid run to open Russell Westbrook’s tenure in purple and gold, as LeBron James and company posted victories in five-of-eight games to start the season – with two of those defeats coming in tough matchups against the Warriors and Suns.

The Lakers have looked rather average since finding some early success though, considering Frank Vogel’s squad enters Friday’s contest following losses in eight of the last 15 games – which includes head-scratching losses to the Thunder, Wolves, and Kings.

I’ll take the points with the Lakers here, as the Clippers enter Friday’s contest following losses in four of their last five games, while averaging just 104 PPG across that window – which typically isn’t enough to take down King James and company in this meaningful rivalry.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Clippers -125
• Lakers +105
• Clippers -2 (-110)
• Lakers +2 (-110)
• OU 215 (-110)

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pacific
• Date: Friday, December 3, 2021
• Venue: STAPLES Center
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• TV-Time: NBA League Pass - 10:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 11-11
• ATS: 9-13
• O/U: 10-12

Many bettors lost faith in L. A. following Kawhi Leonard’s devastating knee injury last postseason – but it turns out, the Clippers are still a solid team without him, as they decisively handled business against Utah for the remainder of that series, and then went toe-to-toe with Phoenix for the length of a competitive six-game conference final set.

The Clippers have looked like a shell of that squad to start this season though, as L. A. currently sits in 7th place in the West with a record of 11-11 – which is mainly due to uncharacteristic shooting woes, ranking 22nd in scoring and 20th in field-goal percentage (105.6 PPG,44.6% FG).

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 12-11
• ATS: 8-15
• O/U: 13-9-1

Regardless of the circumstances, sitting near .500 is still considered a disappointment for this new-look Lakers’ squad, but to be fair, they’ve been banged up from the start, so it’s tough to write them off completely – highlighted by LeBron participating in just 11-of-23 games so far this season.

That being said, the Lakers are currently treading at sixth in the West with a record of 12-11, with the Clippers, Blazers, and Wolves nipping at their heels at 11-11 – so the Lakers could quickly slide down the totem pole if they don’t get healthy and step up their game soon.

The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in five straight games. (AP)

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head

The Clippers swept a three-game regular-season set against the Lakers last year, with all three of those victories coming by seven points or more.

The latest results between these teams should be taken rather lightly though, considering Kawhi participated in all three of those affairs – and the Clippers are a much different team without him.

Key Players to Watch

• LAC: Paul George - SG(25.9 PPG, 7.3 REB, 5.1 AST)
• LAC: Reggie Jackson - PG (17.3 PPG, 3.6 REB, 3.8 AST)
• LAL: LeBron James - SF (25.8 PPG, 5.2 REB, 6.8 AST)
• LAL: Russell Westbrook - PG (20.7 PTS, 8.2 REB, 8.6 AST)

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Conclusion

After dropping a third straight game at the Staples Center on Wednesday night, the Clippers will enter Friday’s contest as narrow favorites over the Lakers on both of these squads’ home floor – marking the third time King James and company have been underdogs at home this year.

I’ll take the points with the Lakers here, as the Clippers just haven’t played well recently, highlighted by losses in four-of-six games across their current homestand – while the Lakers have won three of their last four, and appear to be slowly getting healthier.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

• Clippers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games.
• Clippers have lost four straight games when facing the Western Conference.
• Lakers have gone OVER the point total in six of their last seven home games.
• Clippers have covered the spread in four straight games when facing the Lakers.

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