Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

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The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, December 28, 2018. The opening line for this game has the Clippers as 5.5 point favorites.

The Clippers have a record of 20-14. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 1.2 as they average 115.9 points per game while giving up 114.7 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 20-14 this season. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They average 113.2 points per game and surrender 111.0, good for a point differential of 2.2.

Valuable Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 19-14-0 against the spread this season

The Los Angeles Clippers are 21-11-0 against the over/under this year

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 14-19-1 against the spread this season

The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-21-0 against the over/under this year

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

11/29/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Knee is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/27/18 C Tyson Chandler Back is upgraded to probable Thursday vs Sacramento
12/26/18 SF LeBron James Groin is downgraded to out Thursday vs Sacramento
12/26/18 PG Rajon Rondo Finger is out Thursday vs Sacramento
12/25/18 C JaVale McGee Flu is questionable Thursday vs Sacramento
12/16/18 SF Michael Beasley Personal is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris comes into this game averaging 21.5 points per contest while playing 34.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 8.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is 88%. Danilo Gallinari averages 19.5 points per contest in 31.3 minutes per game. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 6.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma scores 18.1 points per contest while playing 32.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 5.7 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Lonzo Ball averages 8.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 28.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.1 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 52%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Clippers average 115.9 points per contest, which is 3rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.2 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 4th. From 3-point territory they shoot 39%, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They average 45.9 boards per contest and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 17th with 14.2 per game. The Clippers allow 114.7 points per contest, which is 26th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they allow 24.0 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 9th in the NBA with 113.2 points per contest this season. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.24. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.1 boards per contest and 14th in assists per game with 24.4. The Lakers are 5th in turnovers per contest with 15.1. The Lakers give up 111.0 points per game, which ranks them 18th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 24.0 dimes allowed per game and 23rd with 45.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Lakers are 17th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Clippers are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.9, and their defensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Los Angeles is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers 8th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Lakers are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110, and their defensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Lakers +5.5

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