The Los Angeles Lakers picked up an overtime win on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, pushing them into a tie record wise with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers have the edge in the season series between these two teams, but the Lakers could make that irrelevant by winning out, starting with tonight’s game against the Clips.
For all of the struggles the Lakers have had this season, the team can still end up with the No. 5 seed in the West. The question is, whether or not LeBron James and Anthony Davis will play on the second night of a back-to-back.
Darvin Ham, without revealing his plans for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell’s playing status tomorrow, said the Lakers have “our short term business to take care of and our long term business to take care of.” All three will be evaluated Wednesday morning, per…
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 5, 2023
With their status, along with D’Angelo Russell’s, uncertain, the Lakers are underdogs against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Lakers vs. Clippers odds, spread and total
Lakers vs. Clippers prediction and pick
I think there’s value in taking the Lakers as underdogs and hedging that James and Davis will end up suiting up tonight.
It’s a tough turnaround after going to overtime on Tuesday, but the benefit of a win is too much for the Lakers to play things safe.
Los Angeles would greatly increase its chances of avoiding the play-in tournament in the West if it can beat the Clippers tonight.
I’m also not sold on the Clippers without Paul George, as they’ve gone just 3-3 since he injured his knee, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans in their last two games.
Whether the Clippers will admit it or not, this isn’t going to be much of a home game for them with the Lakers knocking on the door of the postseason.
I expect the Lakers faithful to show out in Los Angeles tonight, and for the team to at least cover the spread if not win outright.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.