The Pacific leading Clippers (yes, you read that right) will venture into enemy territory (hardly) tonight when they face the city and division rival Lakers at the STAPLES Center. This evening’s highly anticipated battle for Los Angeles, which will feature the return of Chris Paul to the Clippers lineup, is scheduled to tip off at 10:30pm ET on NBA TV. NBA Odds have the hosting Lakers listed as a -3.5 against the spread favorite and the game total set at 186.5 points.
The Clippers have not been the most consistent team over the last week or so, which is understandable with Paul out of the lineup, but they have managed to assume control of the Pacific Division, despite losing two of their last four games.
Los Angeles, which is 9-5 on the season after Sunday’s 103-91 win over the Raptors at the STAPLES Center, has maintained its slim lead (one game) thanks to the Lakers recent slide. Since a 73-70 January 16th home win against the Mavericks, Kobe Bryant and company have dropped three straight to fall to 10-8 on the season.
The latest Laker setback was, perhaps, the most disturbing as they returned home on Sunday from a two game road swing (Miami, Orlando) and lost to the much improved Pacers 98-96. Los Angeles shot just 41.9 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe in losing their second home game of the season.
The Lakers other loss at the STAPLES Center came nine days ago in a visiting role against their city rival. The Clippers recorded a 102-94 victory despite a 42 point effort from Bryant. Chris Paul led his squad with a 33 point, six assist night and Blake Griffin also made his presence felt in the high stakes dust up, finishing the game with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Anticipating a Lakers bounce back is the easy thing to do here, but right now the Clippers are the better team. And Los Angeles (Lakers) recent history as a home favorite with a 0 to 3.5 point spread is not a good one. The Lakers are 4-6 both straight up and against the spread in their last 10 games filling that role.
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Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 2012 NBA Predictions: Provided by Bovada.lv
Los Angeles Clippers +3.5 (-110), Over 186.5 (-110), +145 (Moneyline)
Los Angeles Lakers -3.5 (-110), Under 186.5 (-110), -165 (Moneyline)
