Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

• Overall Record: 26-20
• Home Record: 17-8
• Away Record: 9-11

The Los Angeles Clippers have overturned the expectations of a majority this season. They held their fort as Kawhi Leonard rehabilitated his nagging knee injuries and relied on team basketball which has worked wonders for their chemistry.

Their movement into the Intuit Dome is another massive advantage. The team finally has a home court of their own after years of being referred to as the “basement team” for being hosted at the Crypto.com Arena, which is the home of their fierce rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. They are slowly turning the state-of-the-art venue into a fortress, as they seek to build a franchise capable of challenging for the NBA Title.

With Paul George struggling with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers seem to have dodged a bullet with their decision not to offer “PG” a max contract, proving to be a masterstroke. James Haden has rolled back the years with impressive performances. On the other hand, Norman Powell has upped his scoring production since becoming a starter after years of being a sixth man and is in contention for an All-Star selection. Ivica Zubac is playing lights out and bench production has greatly increased, with various role players taking turns and making remarkable contributions on a nightly basis.

Head Coach Tyronn Lue can finally call upon his superstar, two-way small forward Kawhi Leonard, who has returned from injury. Notably, he is being eased into the lineup with a clear emphasis on having him fully healthy and available in the postseason.

The Clippers are one of the teams expected to pull a surprise and acquire assets before the 6th February trade deadline.

This matchup against the Lakers is one for the ages as both franchises are jostled together on the log and have their big guns ready to go.

James Harden and Anthony Davis//Getty Images

• Overall Record: 26-18
• Home Record: 16-6
• Away Record: 10-12

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a relatively good season so far. They are fifth on the log and have moved eight games over 500 for the first time this season.

The Lakers have already bolstered their roster via the trade market this season with the additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, who are sufficiently equipped in perimeter shooting and defence. However, with disgruntling from their Head Coach JJ Redick and the superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, expect some activity before the trade deadline elapses.

High on their priority is a centre and a ball-playing guard to lead the second unit. JJ Redick’s fast-paced offense has begun to yield results and with key role players such as Jarred Vanderbilt returning to the fold, they are guaranteed to pose matchup challenges to opposing teams.

LeBron James continues to defy father-time with ageless performances every now and then and Anthony Davis is playing at an All-NBA level leading the team in points per game, rebounds, blocks and steals. Austin Reaves has settled as the starting point guard and secondary ball handler for the team.

With bragging rights on the line, the Lakers will be looking to avenge their loss from a couple of weeks ago and solidify their position atop the Pacific division which is among the most competitive in the NBA, considering they still have two games to play against the Clippers albeit on home court.