- The LA Lakers battle the LA Clippers on Wednesday night
- The NBA odds favor Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers
- Read below for Lakers vs Clippers prediction, odds & player props
The sun will set on the storied “Hallway Series” between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night as the two teams face off for the final time as co-tenats of the Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off is 10:30 pm ET, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
The Wednesday NBA odds favor the Clippers by a slim margin of 3.5 points, while offering the over/under at 234.5. Bettors can also wager on NBA player props for Lakers vs Clippers, including the points, rebounds, and assists for star players such as Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James.
Let’s offer you our Lakers vs Clippers prediction, as we determine the best bets and player props for Wednesday’s game.
Lakers vs Clippers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA Lakers | +3.5 (-110) | +135 | Over 234.5 (-110) |
| LA Clippers | -3.5 (-110) | -160 | Under 234.5 (-110) |
In the Lakers vs Clippers odds, Kawhi Leonard and company are -160 favorites, giving them an implied win probability of 62%.
This is the fourth meeting of the season between the two rivals, with the Clippers prevailing 127-116 in the last matchup on January 23rd. The Lakers won the prior two affairs.
Odds as of February 28, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Claim the BetMGM promo code to bet on Lakers vs Clippers on ESPN.
Lakers Are Consistently Inconsistent
The Lakers, currently holding a 31-28 record, have had a rollercoaster season, recently losing two of their last three games. They were last in action Sunday against the Phoenix Suns, falling 123-113 on the road. The Lakers surrendered 45 points in the first quarter, adding to the team’s growing problem of slow starts.
In Sunday’s game, the Lakers had eight free-throw attempts and four made shots from the line, both of which were season lows. The team was frustrated with the officiating as the Suns went 18-19 from the free-throw line.
Despite these challenges, the Lakers have shown resilience, with LeBron James leading the charge, averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds, and ranking eighth in the NBA with 7.9 assists per game. Anthony Davis has also been a dominant force, boasting an average of 24.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
LeBron James is currently battling an ankle injury, however. The latest Lebron James injury update is the legend is questionable to play Wednesday with a 50-50 status designation. However, he has had this tag since November and has only missed eight games all season. It’s more likely than not that he suits up against the Clippers.
The Lakers’ ability to cover the spread has been inconsistent, with a 27-33 ATS mark so far in 2023-24. A key trend to note for Wednesday is the Lakers are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games against the Clippers.
Clippers Defense Has Fallen Off
The Clippers enter Wednesday Night Basketball with a 37-19 record and dealing with consistency issues of their own. They are 3-4 in their past seven games, including a tough 123-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday in their most recent outing.
The Clippers’ defense is still top-10 in the league (112.9) but it’s currently not playing at the elite level that propelled them atop the Western Conference NBA odds earlier in the season. Over their past eight games, the Clippers defense ranks 28th in the league.
Asked Norman Powell to follow up on his Sunday night comments about the defense needing to be better on help side and and after initial actions.
Powell reiterated that the Clippers have to improve their level of communication and making multiple efforts. pic.twitter.com/mHaWx7PK1m
— Law Murray 🧭 (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 27, 2024
The absence of Paul George due to a sore left knee has been felt, but the team has seen solid contributions from Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden. George is once again confirmed to be out for Wednesday’s game, per the injury report.
Leonard is averaging 23.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while Harden has been a valuable addition, averaging 17.3 points and ranking sixth in the league with 8.3 assists per game.
The Clippers have a better ATS record than the Lakers at 29-27 but have struggled to cover in recent games. During their past seven games, LA has only managed to cover the number once. Fortunately, they have a 7-0 home winning streak against the Lakers.
Lakers vs Clippers Player Props
NBA player props have been released for the Lakers vs Clippers game on Wednesday night. Leonard has the highest point total on the board at 25.5, while Davis is expected to record the most rebounds with a projection of 13.5. Harden’s 3-point line of 3.5 is also notable.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | 25.5 (Ov -131 | Un -104) | 6.5 (Ov -139 | Un +102) | 3.5 (Ov -142 | Un +104) | 2.5 (Ov +129 | Un -179) |
| LeBron James | 24.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) | 6.5 (Ov -123 | Un -111) | 7.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) | 1.5 (Ov -139 | Un +102) |
| Anthony Davis | 23.5 (Ov -129 | Un -106) | 13.5 (Ov -106 | Un -129) | 2.5 (Ov -121 | Un -113) | 0.5 (Ov -163 | Un +118) |
| James Harden | 20.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) | 5.5 (Ov -131 | Un -104) | 8.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 3.5 (Ov +104 | Un -142) |
| Norman Powell | 18.5 (Ov -127 | Un -108) | 3.5 (Ov +114 | Un -157) | 5.5 (Ov +110 | Un -151) | 2.5 (Ov -151 | Un +110) |
| D’Angelo Russell | 17.5 (Ov -117 | Un -117) | 2.5 (Ov -154 | Un +112) | 5.5 (Ov -129 | Un -106) | 2.5 (Ov -129 | Un -106) |
| Austin Reaves | 14.5 (Ov -106 | Un -129) | 3.5 (Ov +104 | Un -142) | 5.5 (Ov +110 | Un -151) | 1.5 (Ov -111 | Un -123) |
| Russell Westbrook | 12.5 (Ov -119 | Un -115) | 4.5 (Ov +106 | Un -145) | 4.5 (Ov +104 | Un -142) | 0.5 (Ov -166 | Un +120) |
| Ivica Zubac | 12.5 (Ov -101 | Un -135) | 9.5 (Ov -133 | Un -103) | 2.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) | 1.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) |
| Terance Mann | 11.5 (Ov -103 | Un -133) | 4.5 (Ov +120 | Un -166) | 2.5 (Ov +112 | Un -154) | 1.5 (Ov +172 | Un -244) |
| Rui Hachimura | 11.5 (Ov -117 | Un -117) | 3.5 (Ov -166 | Un +120) | 3.5 (Ov -166 | Un +120) | 1.5 (Ov +159 | Un -224) |
Odds as of Feb. 28 at Caesars Sportsbook.
On the Clippers side, we think there is some value on Terance Mann in the NBA props market. The 27-year-old has seen his workload increase in George’s absence, and he’s making the most of it. In the past two games, Mann is averaging 35 minutes and 18.5 points. We think he gets to 12 points Wednesday, facing the Lakers’ 18th-ranked defense.
For the Lakers, we are locking James to make over 1.5 three pointers. He’s knocked down multiple shots from beyond the arc in 12 of his last 13 games, and has a proven track record against the Clippers. Over his career, James averages 3.9 three-pointers vs LA, and his line for Wednesday is only sitting at 1.5.
NBA Player Prop Picks:
- Terance Mann Over 10.5 Points (-122 at
FanDuel
best line) - Lebron James Over 1.5 Three-Pointers (-125 at
BetMGM
best line)
Lakers vs Clippers Prediction
To win this matchup, the Lakers need to leverage their offensive strengths, particularly if James is healthy enough to play, and address their slow starts and defensive issues. The Clippers must tighten their defense and get their star players, Leonard and Harden, to perform at their best, especially in George’s absence.
For our Lakers vs Clippers prediction, we’re betting on these two teams to go under the posted game total. It’s come down two points from its opening number of 236.5, indicating that sharp bettors are all over this line. We also think there’s value on this number.
The under has hit in 10 of the Clippers’ past 14 games, and we expect it to cash again thanks to the team’s defense. The Lakers’ offense will be limited with James banged up, and the Clippers themselves haven’t put up more than 107 points in any of their past three games.
LAL vs LAC Pick:
- Under 234.5 Points (-110)
The highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 28th is sure to be a thrilling game for basketball fans. Both teams are considered top contenders in the Western Conference, making this game a must-watch for NBA enthusiasts.
As we look ahead to this exciting showdown, let’s take a closer look at some predictions, odds, and player props for the Lakers vs Clippers game.
Predictions:
The Lakers and Clippers have faced off multiple times this season, with each team securing victories against the other. The Lakers currently hold a slight edge in the standings, but the Clippers have been playing well as of late. This game is expected to be a close contest, with both teams showcasing their star power and depth.
One key factor to watch in this game will be the battle between LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. Both players are elite talents who can take over a game at any moment. The team that can contain the other team’s superstar will likely have the upper hand in this matchup.
Odds:
As of now, the odds for the Lakers vs Clippers game are relatively even, with both teams having a good chance of coming out on top. The oddsmakers are expecting a competitive game, with the spread likely to be close.
Player Props:
When it comes to player props for this game, there are several intriguing options to consider. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will likely be the focal points of the Lakers’ offense, so look for them to have strong performances in terms of points, rebounds, and assists.
On the Clippers side, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be key players to watch. Both players have the ability to score in bunches and make plays on both ends of the court. Keep an eye on their point totals and three-point shooting percentages as potential player props to consider.
In conclusion, the Lakers vs Clippers game on February 28th is shaping up to be a thrilling matchup between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. With predictions, odds, and player props in mind, fans can look forward to an exciting game that could go down to the wire. Be sure to tune in and see which team comes out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.