NBA Betting Picks, Odds, And Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched a playoff spot after beating the league's No. 1 team Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The secured berth snaps the Lakers' seven-year postseason dry spell as they were led by LeBron James who carried off his vow of a bounce-back season after the team failed to make past the regular season in the previous year. But while they are on a high with the latest feat, the Lakers will still not let go of the gas pedal as they are set to face their Los Angeles rivals next who have instigated their own onslaught riding a league-best six-game winning streak to reside behind the Lakeshow in the Western Conference standings.

Lakers

The Clippers have had the Lakers' number so far this season as they seized the prior two meetings held on opening night and on Christmas Day. But James is unflustered as he keeps his confidence in his team that has proven to be as potent ruling the West with a sizeable distance. The 35-year-old have implicitly mentioned the Lakers are now a better team than the last two times they crossed paths with the Clips. "They're at full strength. We're at full strength. And we look forward to the challenge to see how we can match up with them again," the four-time MVP said. "So, you know, the first game, we kind of threw that game out the window. It's the first game of the season. ... And then the Christmas Day game, we didn't play to our capabilities. We played great in the first half and then the second half we let it kind of get away from us. So, we just look forward to see if we can continue to play good basketball, no matter win, lose or draw."

Clippers

The Clippers are peaking relatively in the most ideal time of the season. As they zero in on the postseason wars, Doc Rivers will expect better cohesion from his squad as he continues to press the right buttons to wrap up the regular season by collecting momentum-building wins. With healthy players on both sides, the Clippers could gauge the affair that could set up a potential Western Conference Finals showdown down the road. Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 26.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, has poured in at least 25 points in each of the Clips' last three outings which were all against contenders. Paul George, meanwhile, continues to make progress in his voyage to peak form as he did a little bit of everything by notching 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in their 120-105 win over Houston on Thursday.

Odds and Trends

The Clippers are technically the hosts for this clash at the Staples Center as they are given the nod by the bookmakers to play as the favorites with a -2.5 spread line over the Lakers. The total line is set at 225.5 points over/under.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 5-1 in their last 6 games overall.

The Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 5-1 in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Over is 4-0 in Lakers' last 4 games as an underdog and 5-1 in Clippers' last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Under is 4-1 in Lakers' last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game and 5-1 in Clippers' last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

Prediction

Lakers win, 114-111.