The last stretch of the 2021-22 NBA season continues on Friday, February 25 with a slate of nine basketball games. While each contest is exciting in its own right, one of the more intuiting matchups features the next chapter in the rivalry between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Both teams are looking to end the season on a high note considering how things haven’t gone well for either team this year. The Clippers and Lakers both currently occupy play-in positions if the playoffs began today, which is far away from where experts and fans initially projected them to finish.
Nevertheless, Friday’s Clippers vs Lakers matchup gives both teams a chance to build some momentum to close out the year. This article will look at recent betting trends heading into the matchup, as well as the best betting pick for the all-Los Angeles showdown.
LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Matchup Info and Betting Odds
Matchup Info
- Game Matchup: LA Clippers (30-31, 8th in Western Conference) vs Los Angeles Lakers (27-31, 9th in Western Conference)
- Venue & Location: crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
- Date: Friday, February 25, 2022
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
Betting Odds
- Spread: LA Clippers +1.5 (-105), Los Angeles Lakers -1.5 (-115)
- Total: OVER 222.5 (-110), UNDER 226.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: LA Clippers +105, Los Angeles Lakers -125
Odds are via BetMGM.
Clippers vs Lakers Betting Trends
While some rivalries can be evenly matched, that’s not the case when it comes to the two Los Angeles rivals. The Lakers have dominated the Clippers for the majority of their feud’s existence, winning 150 of 229 regular-season matchups — or 65.5% of the meetings.
However, it hasn’t been the Lakers who’ve been dominating lately. Instead, the Clippers have controlled the rivalry in recent years, going 15-5 straight up in their last 20 games against the Lakers. In fact, the Clippers have won five straight meetings against their rivals and are 2-0 in two head-to-head meetings this season.
When it comes to the spread, the Clippers have dominated there as well. They’re 7-3 against the thread (ATS) in their last 10 games against the Lakers. The Clippers are also a perfect 9-0 ATS when they’re the “road” team in the rivalry.
Whenever these two teams meet lately, the total score seems to fluctuate. The total has hit the under in five of the rivalry’s last 10 games, after all. Having said that, seven of the Clippers’ last nine games have hit the over, while the over has been reached in six of the Laker’s most recent nine outings.
Clippers Continue Life Without Key Players
Ever since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joined the organization, the Clippers were expected to be perennial championship contenders. Instead, an ACL injury has prevented Leonard from playing a single game this season, while George has been out with an elbow injury since mid-January.
Nevertheless, the Clippers enter this matchup with a 30-31 record, five games back of the Denver Nuggets for the actual final playoff spot. Fortunately, they went 3-1 in their last four games before the NBA All-Star Break — including a victory over the Golden State Warriors — and will look to continue that momentum going forward.
If the Clippers want to continue that momentum, Marcus Morris Sr. will need to continue to step up. He’s led his team with 20.3 points on .508/.391/1.000 shooting over the last four games and will be relied on heavily against the Lakers.
Reggie Jackson is another player who’s been playing out of his mind lately. The veteran guard is nearly averaging a double-double (17.3 points, 9.8 assists) over the last four games while leading all Clippers with a +47 plus-minus rating. Terrance Mann has also been solid on defense over that span, averaging 1.3 steals per game with a +46 rating.
At the end of the day, the Clippers badly need a win over the Lakers if they want to avoid being a play-in team come the postseason. Most of the teams ahead of the Clippers have played fewer games than them, so losing could really set them back.
Can the Lakers Finally Live Up to Potential?
After a disappointing playoff performance last year, expectations were astronomically high for the Lakers this season — especially after adding Russell Westbrook.
Instead, Westbrook hasn’t fit in well and the whole team lacks the chemistry that won them the NBA Championship two seasons ago. Not even LeBron James playing like the Most Valuable Player has been able to take the pain and frustration away from Lakers fans.
As of Friday, the Lakers own the second-last play-in spot, 4.5 games ahead of the 11th-place San Antonio Spurs. While that still would allow the Lakers to compete for a title, it’s a more difficult road that they’d like to avoid.
Unfortunately, the Lakers have their own fair share of injuries that they’re dealing with. Anthony Davis injured his foot before the All-Star break and will miss the next month or so. The team is also uncertain if James will play as he’s day-to-day with a knee injury. Carmelo Anthony (hamstring) is probable to play, but only time will tell if that’s the case.
The positive news is that Westbrook has been looking better over his last two games. It’s a small sample size, but he’s averaged 18.0 PTS/7.0 REB/5.0 AST on .500/.333/.727 shooting over that stretch. If he can continue that play against the Clippers and throughout the remainder of the season, the Lakers could be in much better shape down the stretch.
LA Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction and Best Bets
Los Angeles Lakers 112, LA Clippers 106 (Lakers -1.5, -115)
Even though the Clippers have dominated the rivalry as of late, look for the Lakers to get back on track. Though he’s questionable, expect James to suit up and help his team get back on track.
Even if he isn’t 100%, James will still be the best player in the game and will look to continue his momentum after Team LeBron’s NBA All-Star victory. Plus, if Westbrook is finally comfortable in his role with the team, this could be the start of something great for the Lakers.