Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Los Angeles Lakers will be playing the second game on back-to-back nights when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night.

A Thursday defeat of the Minnesota Timberwolves extended the Lakers’ winning streak to four games. The Clippers last played on Wednesday, when they beat the Chicago Bulls to halt a three-game losing streak.

With this LA rivalry set for a 10 PM ET/7 PM PT tip-off on ESPN, it’s time to take a look at the odds and best bets to make. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers betting picks and predictions

Los Angeles Lakers +4.5 (-110) 

With the Lakers playing their second game in as many nights, uncertainty is part of the equation. LeBron James seemed to be dealing with a hamstring issue late in Thursday’s contest against Minnesota, while Rui Hachimura exited in the third quarter due to a strained left knee.

James said he was fine, but he would probably have to be perfect for the Lakers to consider letting him suit up in a back-to-back scenario. Hachimura, meanwhile, is unlikely to play on Friday.

Still, there are reasons to like the Lakers – especially when they are getting 4.5 points because of the situations mentioned above. These LA rivals most recently faced each other on February 4th, when the Lakers rolled to a 122-97 win even though Anthony Davis had already been shipped to the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic was not yet ready to take the court for his new team.

LeBron picked up the slack without Doncic to dominate the Clippers, so why can't Doncic do the same without LeBron if the 40-year-old is sidelined? Doncic has recorded a double-double in four straight games, including a triple-double against his former club on Tuesday with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, three steals and two blocks. 

Meanwhile, the Clippers are by no means in great form at the moment. They have defeated only one opponent with a winning record since January 25th. Moreover, they are continuing a five-game road trip – so they may not have a significant rest advantage on Friday even though the Lakers could be a bit fatigued on the heels of Thursday’s outing.

Let's go with the Lakers to cover a +4.5 spread.

Under 220.0 Total Points (-110)

If LeBron and Hachimura can’t go, that would be a lot of scoring on the shelf for the Lakers. They combine for 38.2 points per game (24.9 and 13.3, respectively).

On the bright side for head coach J.J. Redick’s squad, it is sixth in the Western Conference in scoring defense (111.4 ppg allowed) and has limited its opponents to 100, 102, 100, 99 and 102 points in their last five games.

Additionally, the Clippers have scored more than 110 points in regulation only once in their past five contests.

It's also worth noting that neither team plays at a particularly fast pace. The Clippers are No. 20 league-wide in possessions per game (101.9) while Lakers check in at No. 23 in that department (101.4).

All things considered, the Under looks like the smart play to make.

Kawhi Leonard Over 20.5 Points (-115)

Leonard has scored at least 25 points in two of the last three games. Since being limited to 24 minutes or fewer in his first seven appearances of the 2024/25 campaign (he made his season debut on January 4th), the 33-year-old has logged at least 28 minutes in eight of his last 10 – including at least 31 in five straight.

Leonard is armed with a rare clean bill of health right now and he made the most of it with 25 points against both the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks last week.

The San Diego State product scored 19 points in his first meeting with the Lakers this year (January 19th) even though he played just 24 minutes. 

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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers betting odds 

Los Angeles Clippers	-170 ML
Los Angeles Lakers	+145 ML
Spread	LA Clippers -4.5
Total Points	O/U 220.0

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers player props

Player Points

James Harden (LA Clippers)	O/U 22.5
Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)	O/U 20.5
Ivica Zubac (LA Clippers)	O/U 14.5

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 This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.