The LA Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers will face off on Thursday in yet another ‘Battle for LA’. This will be the fourth game between these two teams, with the Purple and Gold leading the series 2-1. The first meeting was in November of last year when they won in overtime before a narrow 106-103 victory. They met again in January, and the Clippers won this time.
The bigger question will be whether the Lakers can make the playoffs. With the regular season coming to a close, they sit 10th in a strong Western Conference, and while the Clippers can afford a loss, their opponents cannot.
The Clippers have missed Paul George’s offensive contributions and play making abilities. They are coming off a 123-109 setback to the Sacramento Kings and will be eager to go back to winning.
LA Lakers vs. LA Clippers: Preview, betting tips, and prediction
Game details:
Teams: Lakers (30-28) vs Clippers (37-19)
Date and time: February 29, 2024; 10:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, LA.
Watch ESPN, Bally Sports SoCal, and Spectrum SportsNet.
Listen to SiriusXM, AM 570 KLAC/S: KTMZ, or ESPN LA 710/1330 KWKW.
LA Lakers vs. LA Clippers: Preview
Following a two-day vacation, the injury-plagued Lakers will now prepare for the remainder of the challenging games that lie ahead. They’ve lost two games since returning from the All-Star break.
Their 26th-ranked defense plays a significant role in LA enabling their opponents to either carve out a large lead or allow them to climb back into the game — the former of which was visible during their loss to the Suns. The Lakers will almost definitely start Rui Hachimura against the Clippers, whose defense has also been a source of frustration for them.
They have ranked 29th in defense over the last several games, but their offense, which includes Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Norman Powell, has resulted in victories. The previous time these two teams met, the Lakers were without LeBron James, yet they fought till the finish.
The Clippers’ X-factor will most likely be Powell, whose return to the lineup following Paul George’s knee injury has proven successful. On Sunday, he led the Clippers in scoring with 21 points and served as a valuable offensive presence behind Harden and Leonard. When Los Angeles takes the court on Thursday, they will need to improve their defense and make more 3-pointers.
LA Lakers vs LA Clippers: Predicted starting lineups
The Los Angeles Lakers have listed (bilateral Achilles tendinopathy) and Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) as probable. The giant missed practice on Tuesday due to a respiratory infection, but he has been labeled as probable, which is good news.
Meanwhile, LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) is listed as questionable, and Christian Wood (left knee effusion), Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot pain), and Gabe Vincent (left knee surgery) are all out for this game.
If Reddish does suit up for the game, head coach Darvin Ham is likely to bring him off the bench. That would suggest that the Purple and Gold would most likely have the following lineup:
PG- D’Angelo Russell, SG- Austin Reaves, SF- LeBron James, PF- Rui Hachimura, and C- Anthony Davis.
The Clippers will be without Paul George (left knee pain) and Ivica Zubac (illness). Amir Coffey and Daniel Theis will fill in their absence.
The probable starters will be PG James Harden, SG Terence Mann, SF Amir Coffey, PF Kawhi Leonard, and C Daniel Theis.
LA Lakers vs LA Clippers betting tips
Spread: Lakers (+3.5) versus Clippers (-3.5)
Moneyline: Lakers (+135) vs. Clippers (-162).
Total (o/u): 235.5.
Leonard is one of the players to watch out for, as he enters the game with an o/u of 25.5 (-123/-111). James Harden finished 20.5 with a -111/-123. For the Lakers, keep an eye on James, who is 24.5 points ahead of the competition with an o/u of -111/123. Davis is next, with 24.5 (-115/-119).
LA Lakers vs. LA Clippers: Prediction
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a superior offensive club, and if they perform well on that front, they will most likely cover the spread. Regardless of the results, the Clippers have always performed well against their opponents, averaging over 118 points per game. If they can keep that offensive going, they will have the advantage.
On paper, the Clippers appear to be the favorites, but the Lakers have been a surprise all season. Expect a competitive contest, with the latter winning their final regular-season game.
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