A potential first-round playoff matchup is on tap when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Both clubs halted three-game losing streaks last time out, with the Lakers winning for only the second time in their last eight contests by knocking off the Denver Nuggets and the Clippers rallying to defeat the visiting Toronto Raptors. The Clippers (44-22) have won both meetings this season, including an 18-point win on April 4, and again will get to face the Lakers (37-28) with LeBron James sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Tip-off is at 10 p.m. ET at Staples Center. William Hill Sportsbook lists the Clippers as 8.5-point favorites, while the over-under for total points scored is 211 in the latest Lakers vs. Clippers odds. Before finalizing any Clippers vs. Lakers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned over $9,200 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up over $1,200 on its top-rated picks this season and entered Week 20 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 97-62 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread dating back to last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Lakers vs. Clippers. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Clippers vs. Lakers:
- Lakers vs. Clippers spread: Clippers -8.5
- Lakers vs. Clippers over-under: 211 points
- Lakers vs. Clippers: Clippers -380; Lakers +310
- LAL: G Dennis Schroder (health/safety protocols) is out and G Talen Horton-Tucker (calf) is questionable
- LAC: The Clippers lead the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (41.7).
Why the Lakers can cover
Anthony Davis missed the last matchup against the Clippers, but he is coming off his best game since missing more than two months with an Achilles/calf issue. Davis scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Monday's win over Denver, marking the third time in four games he has scored at least 22 points. As much as the Lakers need his offensive contributions, Davis has been stellar at the defensive end with 13 blocked shots in the last five games.
Center Andre Drummond, who also sat out the last game against the Clippers, is coming off a dud with four points and zero rebounds on Monday. He had averaged nearly 12 rebounds over his previous six contests while scoring in double figures in five of those games. Reserve forward Montrezl Harrell has been limited to double digits the past three, but he had 19 points vs. the Clippers on April 4 and 17 points and 10 boards against them in December.
Why the Clippers can cover
Second-leading scorer Paul George, averaging 23.6 points per game, scored only 16 in last month's meeting vs. the Lakers but followed that up by scoring at least 32 points in seven of the next eight contests. He lit up the Lakers in the season opener with 33 points while nailing 5 of 8 3-pointers. While his offense has dipped slightly over the past six games, George has notched three double-doubles during that span, averaging 9.0 rebounds.
Leonard missed nearly two weeks due to a foot injury and has been fairly quiet with a combined 29 points in the two games since rejoining the lineup. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Lakers last month and 26 points against them to kick off the season. Forward Marcus Morris is coming off a 22-point effort on Tuesday and also scored 22 against the Lakers on April 4 to win a personal duel against his twin brother Markieff.
How to make Clippers vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 209 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 60 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Clippers vs. Lakers? And which side of the spread hits over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a roll on NBA picks.
