Lakers vs. Clippers NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, Feb. 28 (Can Lakers cover?)

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers renew their rivalry for the fourth time this season, and the Clippers need a win to pull off the split in the season series. 

Both of these teams play at Crypto.com Arena, but this may end up feeling like a home game for the Lakers even though they are set as the road team. As a home favorite, the Clippers are 14-12 on the season, but the team lost badly at home to the Sacramento Kings in its last game. 

Should that concern bettors at all? 

On the Lakers side of things, the team has been shorthanded for most of the season, and it could use a wing like Cam Reddish (probable) back in the lineup to help defend Kawhi Leonard.

As for the Clips, they won’t have Paul George in action, meaning a much bigger scoring load will fall on Leonard’s shoulders in this game. Does that still warrant the Clips being favored?  

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Let’s break down the odds and a best bet for this primetime matchup in LA: 

Lakers vs. Clippers odds, spread and total

Lakers vs. Clippers how to watch

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 28
• Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena
• How to watch (TV): ESPN
• Lakers record: 31-28
• Clippers record: 37-19

Lakers vs. Clippers injury reports

Lakers injury report

• Anthony Davis – probable
• LeBron James – questionable
• Cam Reddish – probable
• Gabe Vincent – out
• Jarred Vanderbilt – out
• Christian Wood – out

Clippers injury report

• Paul George – out

Lakers vs. Clippers key players to watch

Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis: Davis has three double-doubles against the Clippers this season, and the Lakers need him to keep playing at a high level if they’re going to avoid the play-in tournament in the Western Conference this season. He did miss practice on Tuesday with an illness, but he's listed as probable tonight. AD comes into Wednesday’s matchup averaging 24.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. 

Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard: In his last game against the Lakers, Leonard had a 25-point triple-double, and it led to a Clippers win. Kawhi is averaging 23.9 points per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from 3-point range. He’s likely going to spend time working on LeBron James on defense as well. 

Lakers vs. Clippers prediction and pick

The Clippers are 3-1 without George this season, but they struggled mightily against the Sacramento Kings in a loss their last time out. 

The Clippers’ offense has gone cold, scoring 107 points in the loss to the Kings, 101 in a win over Memphis and 107 in a loss to OKC in their last three games. 

I don’t think this should be too concerning for the Clips, but the team simply has less options on offense when George sits, and the Lakers could be a tough matchup since they’ve beaten the Clips twice this season. 

With Anthony Davis (illness) listed as probable, the Lakers should have their main rotation players in action tonight – with the addition of Reddish as well. 

The Lakers won the first two meetings between these teams before losing by nine in the last meeting. 

I still don’t mind them as an underdog here – the Lakers are 10-10 ATS as road dogs – especially since this may feel like a home environment in LA. 

Until the Clippers’ offense picks things up – and it may not without George – I’m staying away from laying points with the team. 

Pick: Lakers +3.5 (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.