The Los Angeles Lakers host their hometown rivals the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, Wednesday Jan 25th, as the Lakers try to avoid dropping four straight. The Clippers got the best of the Lakers, 102-94, in a game two weekends ago. NBA oddsmakers have the Lakers as -3.5 point home favorites over the Clippers with the over/under set at 186.5 points. Be sure to check the Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers 2012 NBA Predictions before the game tips off.
LA Clippers (9-5, 1-3 V) recently beat Toronto 103-91 at home. Caron Butler returned from a hyperextended right knee during Sunday’s victory, scoring 15 points, and Mo Williams shined again. The guard scored his team’s first 17 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 26, his third straight game with at least 25.
Chris Paul hasn’t played since Sunday because of a strained left hamstring, sitting out his fifth straight contest in their win over visiting Toronto. Against the Lakers, Blake Griffin has scored 22 points in each of his last three overall matchups, while Paul has averaged 12.3 points — 6.4 fewer than his career mark — in his past three road games against the Lakers. The Clippers haven’t won consecutive contests against the Lakers since the final two meetings of the 2006-07 season. If the Clippers win tonight, they will take the season series because the rivals play only three games against each other this season.
LA Lakers (10-8, 9-2 H) will try to avoid dropping a fourth straight game for the first time since Dallas swept them out of the Western Conference playoffs in May. They had a nine-game home win streak snapped Sunday, blowing a late three-point lead in a 98-96 loss to Indiana. They failed to reach 100 points for the 11th straight game, the franchise’s longest streak since a 12-game stretch Jan. 12-Feb. 2, 2004.
The Lakers haven’t been frustrated often lately in their designated home matchups with the Clippers, having won eight in a row. Bryant has scored 30 or more points in three of the past four, including 37 during the game in March. His 31.3-point average against the Clippers over the last three seasons is his third-highest versus any opponent. Pau Gasol has provided at least 20 points in each of the past three home games against the Lakers’ co-tenants, while Andrew Bynum has averaged 20.0 points and 12.6 boards in the last eight games he’s played in the series.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Home team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Clippers are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles.
Underdog is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Lakers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
LA Clippers vs LA Lakers
When: Wednesday, Jan 25th@10:30 PM EST
Pick: Lakers -3.5
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Clippers vs Lakers 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.
The Bottom Line: I think the Clippers can’t match the Lakers without Chris Paul, if he’s in, take the Clippers. NBA Point Spreads Expert Tyler Morgan turned in another successful NBA weekend. Morgan is now 5-2 and his 2011-2012 NBA Picks record is an astounding 10-2 (83 %). Tyler’s moves put thousands of dollars into his clients hands week after week during the regular season. The good news for NBA bettors is – TYLER MORGAN’S PICKS ARE FREE – unlike most self proclaimed experts who charge big bucks to subscribers. Put a few Morgan Silver Dollars in your bank account during the 2012 NBA season by getting Tyler’s winning plays for FREE. Feel free to sign up to get NBA Picks Free!
