Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2017

Friday, December 29, 2017

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Clippers head to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, December 29, 2017. The opening line for this game has the Clippers as 3 point favorites.

The Clippers head into this matchup with a mark of 14-19. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.0 as they are averaging 105.0 points per contest while giving up 106.0 per game. The Lakers have an overall mark of 11-22. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 106.3 points per contest and giving up 109.8, which is a point differential of -3.5.

Valuable Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 17-16-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 16-16-1 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 16-17-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 18-15-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/28/17 F Blake Griffin MCL is upgraded to "?" Friday vs LA Lakers
12/21/17 F Wesley Johnson Foot is out indefinitely
12/12/17 F Danilo Gallinari Gluteus is out indefinitely
11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/28/17 F Kyle Kuzma Leg injured last game, is probable Friday vs LA Clippers
12/24/17 PG Lonzo Ball Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/19/17 C Brook Lopez Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lou Williams comes into this game averaging 20.8 points per contest while playing 31 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 89%. DeAndre Jordan averages 11.1 points per contest in 32.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.2 assists per game and 15.2 rebounds per contest for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 65% for the season while his free throw percentage is 55%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson has scored 14.3 points per contest while playing 22.9 minutes per game this season for the Lakers. He hauls in 2.9 rebounds per contest and has 3.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Kyle Kuzma averages 17.8 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Clippers average 105 points per contest this year, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.94 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 43.6 boards per contest and 20.6 assists per game, which ranks them 15th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 14th with 14.6 per game. The Clippers allow 106 points per contest which is 19th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 15th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd, and they allow 23.8 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers are 11th in the NBA with 106.3 points per contest this season. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.45. They shoot 33% from beyond the arc, which is good for 30th in the league. They are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding with 46.5 boards per contest and 10th in assists per game with 22.9. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per contest with 16.5. The Lakers give up 109.8 points per game, which ranks them 26th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 22.7 dimes allowed per game and 28th with 45.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Clippers are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 11th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 17th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league. The Lakers are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.2, and their defensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 101.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 24th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Clippers/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Lakers +3

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