Last time the Clippers played the Lakers in the battle for L.A. the score was 105-102 with the Clippers coming out on top. Lakers are currently on a three game losing streak as their playoff hopes are beginning to diminish rapidly. However, Clippers are on a four game win streak as the continue their push to get into that 7th or 8th seed for the double elimination play in game. Clippers have owned this recent battle of L.A. as they have won six straight in this rivalry matchup.
Lakers wining strategy
So far this year, Lakers haven’t developed a winning mentality in Los Angles. They sit at a record of 27-34 and currently sit at 9th for the playoffs. Lebron James has been shouldering much of the burden for the Lakers as Anthony Davis is injured with an ankle injury. Carmelo Anthony was hot to start the beginning of the season but as of recently slowed down. This Lakers team is showing a lot of resemblance to their 2012-13 campaign in which injuries and old age lead to a first round exit in the playoffs. Kobe Bryant that year tore his achilles in April as long with injuries to Steve Nash, World Peace, and Blake Griffin. Overall, the age caught up to the Lakers that year and this years team is starting to look that way too.
The winning recipe for the Lakers has to be featuring the young talent on the team. Players like Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, and Talen Horton-Tucker need to be putting up their best games for the rest of the season. Lebron James cannot carry a team on his shoulders any longer, if he continues to be playing over thirty minutes a night some type of injury is going to pop up. Im not wishing this happens to Lebron but he has been injury plagued himself over his career.
Clippers path to Victory
Clippers have been on a four game win streak thanks to the big man stepping up their games. Ivica Zubac has been a blocking machine lately. Nicolas Batum has been rebounding much better, as well as, Marcus Morris Sr. whose three point shot is starting to fall more often. Luke Kennard has had a couple slow games from behind the arc but I would expect that to change soon. Reggie Jackson is still doing his thing for the Clippers as he is averaging 16.9 points over his last ten games. Overall, the Clippers effort since the All-Star break has been electric. Tyronn Lue has been keeping his team fired up to hopefully make a playoff run and get some big names back from injuries. Rebounding has been an issue all season but the Clippers defense has picked up that slack.
Tonight however, Clippers look to keep dominating this battle of L.A. in there return from a good road trip in Houston. That will mean weathering any storm that Lebron will try and throw at them. Wether that means challenging calls that Lebron always begs for or just having more effort in the game. Clippers can definitely out run the Lakers but it will also be about not letting those fast break Lebron dunks make the rounds on twitter. Tonight I want to see the Clippers beat the Lakers with intensity and effort on both sides of the ball.
Betting Nuggets
The matchup tonight is in favor of the Clippers by 2.5 points. The over/under 220 points which at first glance looks a little low. However, Clippers defense has been like white on rice recently and the book hasn’t had faith in Lebron in a couple weeks. I could see the Lakers come out and blast the Clippers and play into all the hype they had when they began the season. If I’m being honest here I wouldn’t bet that to happen. Im taking the Clippers to cover that 2.5 and the under 220. Lebron usually get his 25 points a night so maybe check out his prop bets, but I wouldn’t bet any number more than 26.5 PPG. Bet responsibly.
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