Lakers vs Clippers Predictions, Odds & Lines (April 5)

• It’s the battle of LA when the Lakers and Clippers clash on Wednesday, April 5th
• The playing status of Anthony Davis and LeBron James are both up in the air for the 2nd night of a back-to-back
• Check out the Lakers vs Clippers odds below, as well as our best bet and prediction

After 79 regular season games the Lakers and the Clippers have identical 41-38 records, as they fight to stay in the top six in the Western Conference. Right now, it’s a battle to keep a clean bill of health for both sides, while trying to avoid the play-in tournament in the NBA playoff bracket.

On Wednesday, April 5th, the Los Angeles rivals meet for a 4th and final time this season, and it’s the previous three games between the two that have been the difference between the Lakers having a leg up on the Clips or standing where they are now. A well rested Clippers squad looks to sweep the season series on Wednesday night.

Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 pm ET from Crypto.com Arena. It’s a big one, and the broadcast networks might’ve been anticipating this as ESPN will provide the television coverage.

Lakers vs Clippers Odds

Despite playing more minutes than he has in two months, it sure sounded like LeBron was intent on suiting up for the Clippers in his post game interview after getting the game winning bucket against the Jazz Tuesday night.

Even though you’d expect King James and Co. to have some tired legs, the Lakers have opened as 1-point favorites against the Clippers for this affair.

Odds as of April 4th from FanDuel. Unlock the FanDuel promo code to bet on this game.

Big Question Marks in Lakers Lineup

Who coach Darvin Ham chooses to dress will go a long way in determining the outcome of this one. D’Angelo Russell was held out of Tuesday’s overtime win against the Jazz for precautionary reasons with his sore left foot, but it’s the superstars, AD and LeBron that everyone is wondering about.

Darvin Ham says D’Angelo Russell will be held out for precautionary reasons with his sore left foot. Ham says Russell has dealt with the foot for more than a year and it was “bad timing” with the discomfort flaring up. Ham said the team would determine Russell’s status moving…

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 4, 2023

Davis has not played on back-to-back nights since November while James is just 10 days removed from coming back from a foot injury. Without AD, the Lakers are 12-14 this campaign, and similarly, are 13-14 without King James.

Having their backs against the wall in a crowded Western Conference, the Lake Show have put together some of their best ball of late regardless of who is on the court, winning seven of their last eight matchups. The question is, can they get the better of a Clippers squad who have owned them of late.

Clippers Look to Sweep Lakers

Other than the fact, they’ll be missing Paul George who is still nursing a knee injury, all the cards are stacked in the Clippers favor, despite being the underdog in the NBA odds for this Battle of LA. Not only have they not played since Saturday, but they’ve only lost once in their last 10 meetings with the Lakers.

Lakers vs Clippers Results This Season

In addition, the Clippers have also covered the spread in 90% of the last 10 head-to-head matchups with their city rivals. Although they’ve lost two in a row, a deeper look into those two defeats reveals that the mini-slump is nothing to be concerned about.

On Friday, they lost in Memphis after beating the Grizzlies on their home court two nights earlier. Beating a top team on their own hardwood two times in three days is difficult to say the least.

The next night, they were right back at it, travelling overnight to New Orleans to play a back-to-back and ran out of gas in the 4th quarter, getting outscored by seven points in a game they lost by eight. Rest assured, this time around, a well rested Clips squad will be raring to go after three nights off.

Lakers vs Clippers Prediction

Once upon a short time ago, expectations were that the Lakers and Clippers would be perennial contenders in the odds to win the NBA championship given the dynamic duos each team put together. Instead, they’re battling with another surprisingly disappointing side, the Golden State Warriors to avoid the play-in tourney.

Clippers Warriors and Lakers trying to get that 6th seed pic.twitter.com/EMzFHVgzCN

— ClipShowYo (@CIipShowYo) April 3, 2023

The Lakers had the game in hand against the Jazz on Tuesday before allowing a 10-0 run in the final 90 seconds that forced them to go to overtime. Those extra minutes really weren’t needed for an aging, tired team that is dealing with a bunch of nagging injuries.

Whether Davis and/or James play or not, they definitely won’t be 100%, but watch out for updates as the NBA betting lines will move based on their availability.

You can bet Russell Westbrook is licking his chops at the prospect of running his former team ragged in the Lakers vs Clippers odds. All signs point to a Clippers victory here and we can’t make a case to bet against them.

Pick: Los Angeles Clippers Moneyline (+100)