Western Conference<\/a> at 13-20. In fact, the Lakers pushed over the .500 mark for the first time on March 31st, 2023. Los Angeles made some mid-season trades to better their roster, which included cutting the cord with Guard Russell Westbrook.<\/p>\nThe Lakers Received Center Mo Bamba<\/em><\/strong> for Guard Patrick Beverly<\/em>. Los Angeles went the next step and traded for an upgrade at the point guard position. The Lakers received Point Guard D\u2019Angelo Russell, Guard Malik Beasley, and Forward Jarred Vanderbilt<\/strong><\/em>, in exchange for Russell Westbrook, Juan-Toscano Anderson, and Damian Jones, and a 2027 First-Round pick<\/em>. The Lakers also received Forward Rui Hachimura<\/strong><\/em> from the Wizards in exchange for Guard Kendrick Nunn, and three second-round picks<\/em>. The Lakers overhauled their roster and added a scoring guard in Russell.<\/b> <\/em>Not only do Beasley and Vanderbilt give this Lakers roster more depth, but it also gives them more power around stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James.<\/p>\nAlthough Russell has been out with a foot injury, Los Angeles is 16-7 since the trade deadline.<\/strong><\/em> In addition, Guards Dennis Schroder and Austin Reave<\/em>s have stepped up with D\u2019Angelo Russell out. The Lakers rank 8th in league in points-per game (117.<\/em>0), and 10th in field-goal percentage (48.1).<\/em> They are top 6th in Rebounds per game (45.6) and are 3rd in the league in opponent three-point percentage (34.4). The Lakers won four in a row<\/strong><\/em>; can they make it out of the play-in-tournament?<\/p>\nLos Angeles Clippers<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\nOverall: 41-38 Home: 21-18, Away: 20-20 Last 10: 5-5<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nIt was only a few years ago, the Clippers signed superstars Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.<\/strong><\/em> Unfortunately, due to injuries to both stars, they have only played 118 games together.<\/strong> <\/em>Leonard was coming off a torn ACL and made his regular season debut on 10\/20. Even worse, Kawhi Leonard missed nearly all of October, and most of November. Paul George has been relatively healthy until recently with a knee injury. Before the All-Star game, George carried the Clippers nightly. He\u2019s averaging 23.8 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, on 45.7 percent field goal shooting.<\/strong> <\/em>Although he is sidelined with a right Knee Sprain, the success of this Clippers team will ultimately boil down to the health of Kawhi Leonard<\/strong> and Paul George<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\nMuch like the Lakers, the Clippers made quite a few moves during the NBA Trade deadline. Los Angeles shipped off Veteran Point Guard John Wall, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, <\/em>and received Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, Eric Gordon, and Russell Westbrook.<\/strong> <\/em>Although Plumlee adds depth to their rotation, I don\u2019t see Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon much of an upgrade over John Wall and Reggie Jackson. By Christmas Day, this was a 19-14 team, however, the Clippers are 10-10 since the NBA Trade Deadline.\u00a0 Los Angeles ranks 23rd in points-per game (113.1), tied for 2nd in three-point percentage (38.2), and 13th in opponent points-per game (112.9).<\/strong><\/em> As mentioned before, the Clippers will continue to struggle with PG13 out.<\/p>\nInjury Report<\/h2>\n
Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong><\/em>
\nSF LeBron James<\/em> (GTD)
\nPF Anthony Davis<\/em> (GTD)
\nPG D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/em> (Probable)
\nC Mo Bamba<\/em> (Probable)
\nG Scotty Pippen Jr (OUT)<\/p>\nLos Angeles Clippers<\/strong><\/em>
\nSF Marcus Morris<\/em> (OUT)
\nSG Eric Gordon<\/em> (Questionable)
\nF Paul George<\/em> (OUT)<\/p>\nKey Players<\/h2>\nLos Angeles Lakers<\/h3>\nLeBron James<\/strong><\/h5>\nLeBron James is currently a game time decision with a foot injury.<\/em> <\/strong>Although James battled injuries all season, he is having an incredible season. At 38 years old, James is averaging 28.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, and is shooting 50 percent from the field<\/strong><\/em>. He\u2019s coming off a 37-point game,<\/strong><\/em> and the Lakers will see if he can suit up for tonight game. The Lakers are 18-15 this season when LeBron James and Anthony Davis both play on the court. It\u2019s important to note LeBron James hit the game winner in an overtime win against the Utah Jazz last game. In three games against the Clippers this season, LeBron averages 32 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. In addition, he\u2019s shooting 50 percent from the field, and 29.4 percent from three.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nAnthony Davis<\/strong><\/h5>\nLike LeBron James, Anthony Davis has battled through injuries, and is a game time decision tonight with a foot injury.<\/strong><\/em> Like LeBron, Davis is averaging 26.5 points per game, 12.4 rebounds, and is shooting 54.9 percent from the field, which is 14th in the league.<\/strong><\/em> He recently scored 40\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>points <\/i><\/b>and\u00a0added 9 rebounds against the Rockets on 4\/4. If he can suit up, the Lakers will rely on Davis and LeBron to avoid a 0-4 sweep against the Clippers. If Davis or LeBron can\u2019t suit up for tonight\u2019s game, look for Austin Reaves, Hachimura, and Vanderbilt to step up in their absence. In his two games against the Clippers, Davis is averaging 23 points per game and 8.5 rebounds<\/strong><\/em>. As far as shooting goes, Anthony Davis is shooting 56.3 percent from the field, and 40 percent from the three.<\/p>\nLos Angeles Clippers<\/h3>\nKawhi Leonard<\/strong><\/h5>\nThe Clippers are without star Paul George, who has carried this team all season long. It\u2019s important to note Kawhi is coming off a 40-point game,<\/strong> <\/em>and 8 rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kawhi can defend, score, and be the difference maker for this team, as long as he has some help. In two games against the Lakers this season, he\u2019s averaged 19.5 points per game, 8 rebounds, on 60.7 percent from the field, and 12.5 percent three-point.<\/strong><\/em> Look for Mason Plumlee, Norman Powell, and their bench to make up for George.<\/p>\nKey Stats<\/h2>\n
\u2022LA Lakers<\/strong> averages 117 points per game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022LA Clippers<\/strong> averages 113.1 points per game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022LA Lakers<\/strong> rank 21st in points allowed with 116.6 opponents points per game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022LA Clippers<\/strong> rank 13th in points allowed with 112.9 opponents points per game.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u2022 LA Lakers<\/strong> rank 17th in rebounds per game<\/strong><\/em> with 45.6.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Clippers<\/strong> rank 7th in rebounds per game<\/strong><\/em> with 43.1.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Lakers <\/strong>rank 16th in point differential<\/strong> <\/em>at + 0.3.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Clippers<\/strong> rank 18th in point differential<\/strong><\/em> at + 0.2.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Lakers<\/strong> rank 16th in blocked shots<\/strong> <\/em>with 4.6 per game.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Clippers<\/strong> rank 21st in blocked shots<\/strong> <\/em>with 4.4 per game.<\/p>\n\u2022LA Lakers<\/strong> averages 34.7 percent from the 3-point,<\/em><\/strong> while LA Clippers averages 38.2 from the 3-point.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nLAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION<\/h3>\n\u00a0 SPREAD: See Below.<\/h4>\n
-LA Lakers<\/strong> covered the spread<\/em> in 5 of their last 10 games.<\/p>\n-LA Clippers <\/strong>covered the spread<\/em> in 5 of their last 10 games.<\/p>\n-LA Lakers <\/strong>have a 39-39-1 record ATS this season.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n-LA Clippers<\/strong> have a 39-40-0 record ATS this season.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n-LA Clippers<\/strong> are 18-21-0 in HOME<\/em> games ATS this season.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n-LA Lakers<\/strong> are 19-20-1 in AWAY<\/em> games ATS this season.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nThe Clippers covered the spread in all three games against the Lakers. If Anthony Davis and LeBron do suit up, I expect the Lakers to cover. If not, I\u2019ll take the Clippers to cover.<\/p>\n
MONEY LINE: See Below.<\/h4>\n
-LA Lakers<\/strong> won the Money Line<\/strong><\/em> 7 out of their last 10 games<\/p>\n-LA Clippers<\/strong> won the Money Line<\/em> <\/strong>5 of their last 10 games.<\/p>\nIf Anthony Davis and Lebron suit up, this is a must win for the Lakers. They are tied with the Clippers in the 6th and 7th seed, and are currently in the play-in-tournament. If they can\u2019t suit up, I\u2019m choosing Clippers Money Line, with Kawhi Leonard leading the way.<\/p>\n
OVER\/UNDER- Under<\/h4>\n
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