Clippers vs Lakers Props – Best Player Prop Bets for December 22nd
- The Los Angeles Clippers square off with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 10 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 22nd
- Both teams are the favorites to win the Western Conference this season with the Lakers at +140 and the Clippers at +275
- See the best player prop bets for Tuesday’s season opener below
The NBA season begins Tuesday Night, when the Clippers take on the Lakers in the second game of a double header on TNT. Both teams saw changes to their roster in the offseason, but only in role players around their superstar duos.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still the main attraction for the Lakers, while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George lead the way for the Clippers.
This will be the second season in a row the two teams have met on opening night as the Clippers won the meeting last season 112-102. The Lakers are favored by 3.5 points in this matchup and there are plenty of player props to consider.
Clippers vs Lakers Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) | 26.5 ( Ov -110 / Un -110) | 7.5 ( Ov +116 / Un -142) | 4.5 ( Ov -118 / Un -104) | 2.5 ( Ov +154 / Un -200) |
| Paul George (Clippers) | 21.5 ( Ov -118 / Un -102) | 5.5 ( Ov -128 / Un +104) | 3.5 ( Ov -158 / Un +128) | 3.5 ( Ov +126 / Un -162) |
| Lou Williams (Clippers) | 15.5 ( Ov -122 / Un +100) | 2.5 ( Ov -122 / Un +100) | 4.5 ( Ov -134 / Un +110) | 1.5 ( Ov +128 / Un -164) |
| Serge Ibaka (Clippers) | 12.5 ( Ov +100 / Un -122) | 7.5 ( Ov -115 / Un -105) | NA | 1.5 ( Ov +176 / Un -230) |
| Anthony Davis (Lakers) | 26.5 ( Ov -104 / Un -118) | 10.5 ( Ov +144 / Un -118) | 3.5 ( Ov +132 / Un -162) | 1.5 ( Ov +186 / Un -245) |
| LeBron James (Lakers) | 25.5 ( Ov -104 / Un -118) | 7.5 ( Ov -132 / Un +106) | 9.5 ( Ov -104 / Un -118) | 2.5 ( Ov +146 / Un -188) |
| Montrezl Harrell (Lakers) | 14.5 ( Ov -116 / Un -106) | 5.5 ( Ov -140 / Un +114) | NA | NA |
| Dennis Schroder (Lakers) | 14.5 ( Ov -104 / Un -118) | 3.5 ( Ov +122 / Un -150) | 3.5 ( Ov -152 / Un +124) | 1.5 ( Ov +112 / Un -142) |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Lakers) | 9.5 ( Ov -106 / Un -116) | NA | NA | 1.5 ( Ov -104 / Un -122) |
| Kyle Kuzma (Lakers) | 10.5 ( Ov -108 / Un -114) | NA | NA | 1.5 ( Ov +132 / Un -170) |
Odds taken Dec. 22 from FanDuel
Kyle Kuzma the Shooter?
Betting the NBA early in the season can prove to be a difficult task since there is so much up in the air. Rotations and roles are very fluid at this point, which can create opportunities for role players in the betting markets. If bettors can identify players with expanded roles, it will go a long way in being profitable.
Last Sunday, Kyle Kuzma signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Lakers. The deal was modest at best by NBA standards but by all accounts Kuzma himself is pleased with the deal and happy to be a part of the Lakers’ championship window.
Despite how Kuzma feels about the deal, the contract shows he is viewed by the organization as nothing more than a role player. He looks more like a 3-and-D forward at this moment.
Kyle Kuzma wanted to align his contract with LeBron James and Anthony Davis https://t.co/V7ycLDCI9t
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 21, 2020
Last season, the Lakers only attempted 32 three-pointers per game – which isn’t a lot given the chuck-and-duck nature of today’s NBA, but it puts them in the middle of the league in that metric. Teams will want to slow down LeBron and AD, which can lead to catch-and-shoot opportunities for the role players.
Last season, Danny Green led the Lakers with 274 catch-and-shoot attempts, but he was moved in the offseason to Philadelphia via OKC. Those shot attempts won’t disappear and Kuzma is a safe bet to get more than the 203 he got last season. In the preseason, he took at least six three-pointers in three of the four games and hit at least two in all three of them.
While it’s hard to know what a player’s role will be early in the season, it’s a safe bet to assume Kuzma will be heavily involved early while the Lakers get new faces acclimated. It’s also a safe bet to think if Kuzma takes six or more three-pointers, he will hit at least two of them.
The Pick: Kyle Kuzma Over 1.5 three-pointers made (+132)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Looks Confident
Following along the same thought process used for the Kuzma bet, a play on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope seems reasonable. After a lackluster first handful of games with the Lakers last season, KCP put together one of the most efficient seasons of his career. His role is not in question and should expand with the loss of Green – especially from behind the arc.
Coming up big on both ends during the @Lakers championship run, watch the best of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the NBA Finals! #BESTofNBARestart pic.twitter.com/e6rRWMe643
— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2020
Last season, KCP took the second most catch-and-shoot three-point attempts for the Lakers (205), hitting 39% of them. He has looked deadly in the preseason hitting at least two three-pointers in both games he played.
The Clippers will no doubt focus on LeBron James and Anthony Davis tonight, so it’s safe to assume Caldwell-Pope could take five or more three-point attempts. He is a safe bet to hit at least two of them.
The Pick: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Over 1.5 three-pointers made (-104)
John has spent the past 20+ years betting sports on a daily basis and is considered by many to be a walking sports betting encyclopedia. From obscure player props to sides and totals, if there is an angle, John will find it.
