The NBA season resumes after the All-Star break. The Los Angeles Lakers will have to make up for the negative record in the first part of the season and they are starting that road against the city rival.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the season as one of the top contenders to win the championship. At the moment they are far from that as they stand 9th in the Western Conference with a 27-31 record.
A major part in Lakers’ negative record so far in the season are the injuries. Anthony Davis has missed 21 games so far and right after he returned from his back injury, he twisted his ankle and will be out for the next three weeks. LeBron James has been the only consistent player for the Lakers this season. The King is third in the league with 29.1 points per game and he also adds 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists every game.
The Lakers have lost 4 of the last 5 games but are coming off a 106-101 win over the Utah Jazz. LeBron James had a fantastic game with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The Lakers are ranked 10th in the league with 110.9 points per game and 26th with 112.4 allowed points per game.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently 8th in the Western Conference with a 30-31 record. Given the fact that their top two players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are sidelined with injuries, the Clippers are pretty good as they are still in the playoff picture.
Reggie Jackson has stepped up averaging 16.6 points followed by Marcus Morris who is at 16.3. Luke Kennard has used his extra minutes and became a reliable three-point threat for the Clippers. Tyrone Lue’s team has won 3 of the last 4 games, most recently 142-111 against the Houston Rockets. Morris led the team with 27 points while Jackson distributed 14 assists.
The Clippers are ranked 23rd in the league with 106.9 points per game and 11th with 107.7 allowed points per game.
Prediction
The Clippers have won 4 of the last 5 games against the Lakers, most recently 111-110 at the beginning of February. Reggie Jackson scored the winning layup in that match and Anthony Davis missed at the buzzer for the Lakers.
The Clippers definitely have the momentum coming into this game but the Lakers have the chip on their shoulders and will finally have to step their game up. LeBron James is and will be on his level but he needs more support from the others, especially now when Anthony Davis is out. Russell Westbrook will hopefully find his form and be a valuable asset for Frank Vogel’s team.
Anyway, LeBron James will take his team over the Clippers in this one and will prove once again who is the best team in LA. Malik Monk is also in great form and will do his part. The Clippers are playing fats basketball but will not have a solution for James and that will cost them.
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers to win
- Accept Indian Rupees as a currency
- Live Stream from mobiles
- Variety of sports betting markets
Odds:
- Lakers: TBA
- Clippers: TBA
- Spread: TBA
- Over/under: TBA