The battle of Los Angeles between the Lakers and Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night loses a bit of its shine with LeBron James sitting out with an ankle injury.
James scored 28 points in Saturday’s 134-110 home rout of Portland – the Lakers’ third victory in their last four games.
In four games without James this season, the Lakers are 2-2 straight-up and against the spread but covered as 8.5-point road underdogs in a 118-111 loss at Minnesota on Dec. 21.
James has dominated the Clippers of late, averaging 33.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists over his last five games. In the Lakers’ two victories this season over their cross-town rivals, he averaged 30-10-7.
The Clippers are looking to beat the Lakers for the first time this season after winning the previous 11 matchups. In the previous two matchups, the Lakers won by a combined eight points.
Granted, the Lakers aren’t traveling for Tuesday’s game, but the Clippers have won seven straight home games since being routed by the Celtics on Dec. 23.
The Clips are riding a 10-2 hot stretch the last 12 games, while topping the 125-point mark in each of their past five victories.
James Harden scored 24 points and dished out 10 assists in Sunday’s remarkable comeback win over the Nets after trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter.
The total is worth a strong look here as the number is as high as 234.5 in spite of James being sidelined.
In the last matchup, the Lakers edged the Clippers, 106-103, on a 232.5 total, and yet this total is two points higher without the best player on the court?
Betting on the NBA?
It could be because of his absence on defense.
According to StatMamba, players are shooting just 40.7% when guarded by James this season, the lowest percentage of any NBA defender.
And the Clippers’ offense is lighting it up right now. With James out, there’s no reason to think it will change Tuesday.
Pick: Over 234.5 (-110, Caesars)
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