A small three-game slate in the NBA on Tuesday is headlined by an in-city showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers at 11:00 pm ET on NBC. It has been a tale of two different seasons for these two L.A. teams. LeBron James and company are 12-4, while the Clips are 5-12.
Let’s dive into my Clippers vs. Lakers predictions.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds
Money line: Clippers +188 / Lakers -225
Spread: Clippers +6 (-110) / Lakers -6 (-110)
Total: Over 228.5 (-110) / Under 228.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers best bet #1: Clippers +6 (-110)
The Clippers are 5-12, which is why they are catching six points in this matchup. They really aren’t that bad, however. Kawhi Leonard recently missed 10 games because of an ankle injury, which is why his team’s record is so poor. However, Leonard returned this past Sunday and promptly produced 20 points and three steals against the Cavs.
Although the Lakers are 12-4, they have not been facing the most difficult opposition. Head coach J.J. Redick’s squad has not defeated a good team since November 5 (San Antonio). The Lakers have faced two teams currently with winning records since that win over the Spurs and lost by 20 points to the Hawks and by 29 to the Thunder. Deandre Ayton has been ruled out for this game due to a knee issue. That is rough for the Lakers because Ayton has impressed during his first season in Los Angeles, averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will get more playing time as a result of Ayton’s absence and neither one of those big men inspires any confidence.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers best player prop bet: Ivica Zubac Over 16.5 points (+100)
Without Ayton, the Lakers could be in trouble down low against Zubac. The 7’0” center from Croatia is in the midst of an outstanding 2025-26 campaign. He is averaging 17.0 ppg, 11.6 rpg, and 2.4 apg. Zubac is coming off a humongous 33-point, 18-rebound performance against Cleveland.
In four outings against the Lakers during the 2024-25 season, Zubac twice exceeded the 20-point mark. He averaged 19.5 ppg in the last two head-to-head contests.
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