LA Clippers (22-10) at LA Lakers (24-6)
When: Wednesday, December 25th, 2019
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Clippers -1.5/223
Christmas Day in the NBA always offers the best of the best in terms of matchups with five games on the board from Noon to Midnight Eastern Time. Probably the most anticipated of the bunch is the game at Staples Center between the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers. Both are currently the favorites to win the NBA Championship, but there’s a long way to go and injuries must be avoided. The big stars in this game are all banged up – Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and Anthony Davis – but are expected to play in this marquee matchup. Neither team has a ton of momentum coming in with the Clippers having lost three of their last five after a 118-112 setback in Oklahoma City. The Clippers are 22-10 straight up and 18-14 against the spread despite All-Stars Paul George and Leonard have missed a combined 20 games this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers were off to a 24-3 start, but are winless in three straight games and 0-5 ATS in their last five. The latest poor result came on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets when James missed his first game of the season, and the Lakers lost by 24 points at home. The Clippers took the first meeting this season back on Oct. 22 behind 30 points from Leonard and a big time bench effort.
The Clippers led by 15 or more points in each of its last three losses, causing bettors headaches with the team’s inability to put games away. With George missing the first meeting with the Lakers, the Clippers’ bench came through with four players scoring in double-digits led by sixth-man Lou Williams (21 points). Montrezl Harrell chipped in 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting with leading the team with a +15 rating. The defense ranks fourth in the league in field goal percentage (43.3). The Clippers will host Utah on Saturday.
James doesn’t appear to be slowing down despite being in the second-half of his career. The soon-to-be 35-year-old is averaging 25.8 points, 10.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game in his 17th NBA season. He scored just 21 and 20 points in the last two games while shooting just 16-of-39 from the floor and 3-for-13 from beyond the arc. The Lakers own a -3.3 net rating with James on the bench and a +10.7 rating when he’s on the floor. James scored just 18 points in the first meeting, while guard Danny Green led the way with 28 points. The Lakers will be in Portland on Saturday.
It appears everyone will be playing in this one. I’ll give the edge to the Lakers since it’s technically a home game, but they really do have the better duo. This team is much different with LeBron on the court. Happy Holidays, everyone and enjoy the game!
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 36-24-2 (60%) on the season!
Pick: Lakers -2
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite.
Clippers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Clippers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up loss.
Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Lakers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 home games.
Lakers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 4-0 in Clippers last 4 road games.
Under is 6-1 in Clippers last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 overall.
Over is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 5-1 in Clippers last 6 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games as a favorite.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games as a road favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 6-2 in Clippers last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 4-0 in Lakers last 4 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Lakers last 6 Wednesday games.
Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 12-4-1 in Lakers last 17 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 23-9 in Lakers last 32 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 39-16 in Lakers last 55 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 35-16-1 in Lakers last 52 home games.
Under is 31-15 in Lakers last 46 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 13-6-1 in the last 20 meetings.
Clippers are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
