Clippers vs. Lakers Picks, Projections, Analysis for PrizePicks Tonight

For the second time in three days, the Battle of Los Angeles takes place with the Clippers making the short trek to their former Crypto.com Arena home to take on the Lakers on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. ET. 

All eyes will be on LeBron James, as he needs just 18 points to become the first player in NBA history to hit 50,000 career points. The Clippers will look to win on the road to earn a split of the season series, as the Lakers held on to win 106-102 on Friday.

PrizePicks is the easiest way to get real money action on tonight’s NBA games — including Clippers vs. Lakers. Just pick More or Less on player stat projections — from points to combos to 3-pointers and more — and get paid if your picks are correct.

Let’s dive into the Clippers-Lakers below, including the top picks for PrizePicks.

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Lakers-Clippers Game Preview

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

How To Watch: NBA League Pass

Just a couple of nights ago, the Lakers got the better of the Clippers, 106-102, on Luka Doncic’s birthday. Luka had his second-best scoring game as a Laker, with 31 points, but was still inefficient from the field shooting 9-of-22.

The main storyline for tonight’s game is that LeBron James will likely surpass 50,000 career points. James just needs 18 points in tonight’s game to become the first player to ever reach that incredible number — and he’ll get to do it in front of a home crowd.

Friday’s game was close throughout, but the Clippers could not come through when it mattered despite some great looks. The potential return of Norman Powell will be a welcome addition as they look to get back more firepower in the starting lineup. Powell (knee) missed Friday’s game, but head coach Tyronn Lue was optimistic that he will return for today’s rematch against the Lakers. 

The Lakers have some injury concerns that will cause changes to their starting lineup. Austin Reaves left with a calf injury during Friday’s game. His MRI showed no further damage and is ruled day-to-day but will likely miss tonight’s game. Gabe Vincent started the second half for Reaves, so he’ll likely be the one to slot into the starting lineup. Rui Hachimura will remain out after injuring his knee in their win on Thursday against the Timberwolves. Dorian Finney-Smith will start in his place. 

That will put even more pressure on Doncic and James to carry the team if the Lakers are to win back-to-back games against the Clippers.

Here are some key stats for tonight’s game

• The Lakers are 2-0 against the Clippers since the Luka trade. Doncic didn’t play in their first game after the trade, but the Lakers won convincingly, 122-97.
• Both teams are in the middle of the pack in offense over the last month. The Lakers are 16th with 115.5 points per game while the Clippers are in 21st with 112.9 points per game.
• The Lakers are 11th in pace over their last 10 games.
• The Lakers have the second-best defense since the arrival of Doncic, allowing opponents to score only 106.8 points per game. 
• In the last month, the Clippers have allowed 115.5 points per game. 
• LeBron is averaging 25.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists since the trade.
• Luka is struggling to shoot as a Laker, averaging 21 points on 37.3% shooting from the field and 24.1% from three.

Clippers-Lakers Picks for PrizePicks

Here are the top picks for the Clippers vs. Lakers game on PrizePicks tonight. Use the insights below to choose More or Less on PrizePicks and cash out if your picks are correct. 

Lakers F LeBron James — 35.5 Pts+Rebs

• LeBron averages 26.3 points and 8.7 rebounds against the Clippers this season. 
• Since the Luka trade, he is averaging 27 points and 10.5 rebounds in two games against the Clippers.
• LeBron only needs 18 points to surpass 50,000 career points. 
• LeBron is averaging 13.7 potential rebound opportunities against the Clippers this season, with that number increasing to 16 potential rebounds without Anthony Davis.
• James has seen his potential rebound numbers increase in each game against the Clippers so far.
• In four games without Austin Reaves, LeBron’s usage is 36.3%. With Reaves, that number is 30.5%. Expect more usage from both LeBron and Luka with one of their main offensive threats sidelined.
• The Clippers are 11th in points and 4th in rebounds allowed to opposing power forwards in their last seven games.

Lakers F-G Luka Doncic — 45.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts

• Over his career, Doncic is averaging over 47 PRA per game against the Clippers.
• With Austin Reaves likely to miss the game due to a calf injury, both Luka and LeBron will shoulder more offensive responsibility, as Reaves was averaging 22 points per game in February.
• The Clippers have struggled against point guards over their last seven games. They have allowed the second most fantasy points, fourth most points, fifth most assists, and 10th most rebounds over this stretch. 
• Doncic is averaging 36 total PRA per game as a Laker.
• Doncic is questionable to play due to calf injury management.

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Clippers C Ivica Zubac — 26.5 Pts+Rebs

• Zubac had 27 points and 16 rebounds on Friday night against the Lakers. He had 22 potential rebound opportunities.
• Zubac is averaging 17.5 points and 13 rebounds per game against the Lakers in their two meetings this season without Anthony Davis. He has 21.5 potential rebound opportunities in those games.
• Zubac averages 12.7 rebounds per game with Norman Powell on the floor as opposed to 12.2 without.
• The Lakers are 11th in rebounds allowed to opposing centers over their last seven games.

Clippers G James Harden — Assists

• Harden is averaging 10 assists per game against the Lakers this season on 15.3 potential assists
• In his last two games against the Lakers, Harden is averaging 17 potential assists per game.
• The Clippers are expected to have Norman Powell back in the starting lineup. With Powell, Harden averages over one assist more per game than without — 8.8 compared to 7.5.
• The Lakers are allowing 8.6 assists per game to opposing point guards over their last seven games.

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Win Real Money on NBA DFS on PrizePicks

History will likely be made tonight with LeBron James as he will be the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 career points. Whether it’s Clippers-Lakers or any other NBA game, the place to use your NBA knowledge to win real money on PrizePicks.

Just pick More or Less on player stat projections — from points to rebounds to combos — and lock in your Lineup to get in on the action. If your picks are correct, you’ll get paid out instantly when the games end.

Come back to the Playbook throughout the remainder of the NBA season for more basketball analysis for your PrizePicks and NBA DFS Lineups.