Lakers vs Clippers: Lakers Continue to Fight for a Position in the Top Six

• The Los Angeles Lakers continue to fight for a position in the top six
• The LA Clippers have lost back-to-back games
• The Clippers are 3-0 against the Lakers this season

The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers face off in a critical matchup in the Western Conference table. Looking to keep themselves ahead of the seventh seed, the Lakers have been rejuvenated over their last ten games and could gain ground on the fifth-place Clippers. The LA Clippers own a 41-38 overall record but have lost back-to-back games while going 5-5 over their last ten matches.

The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers will play this regular season for the fourth and final time. The last time these two teams met, the Clippers defeated the Lakers 115-133. Hosted at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, the LA Clippers will have home court advantage in this matchup.

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Head-to-Head: Los Angeles Lakers vs LA Clippers

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The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers continue to jockey for position in the Western Conference playoff picture. Ranked seventh in the Western Conference with a 41-38 record, the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to break into the top six in order to avoid Play-In Tournament position. The LA Clippers are fifth in the West with a 41-38 overall record, but they have just a half-game lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference table.

The Los Angeles Lakers' offense drives their success, averaging 116.7 points per game (8th in the NBA) on 48.1% efficiency (10th in the NBA) while getting to the free throw line 26.7 times per game (1st in the NBA). The Lakers' offense has been engaged through their last ten games, averaging 117.8 points per game on 49.3% shooting from the field on a plus-7.8 points differential.

The LA Clippers don't impress in any individual statistic, but they're a solid three-and-D team that allows just 112.9 points per game (13th in the NBA) while hitting 12.8 threes (10th in the NBA) on 38.2% efficiency (3rd in the NBA) themselves. Through their last ten games, the Clippers have averaged 116.9 points per game on 50.9% from the field and 42.0% from three - despite going just 5-5 through that run.

Despite being on the second leg of a back-to-back, we're taking the Los Angeles Lakers in this matchup. As they aim to compete for a position in the top six, the Lakers' recent impressive form should help carry them over the Clippers. Despite leading the season series 3-0, the Lakers' two-way form will carry them through.

Key Players & Stats

Anthony Davis has almost single-handedly lifted the Lakers into playoff contention, averaging 33.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks on 67.4% from the field and 25.0% from three through his last five matches. On the season, he's averaging 26.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks through 52 contests. With Los Angeles going 6-2 through Davis' last eight games since returning from injury, the Lakers will need him to remain productive to stay in the playoff picture.

Kawhi Leonard may not be playing in many games, but he has remained impactful when available, averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 51.3% from the field and 41.8% from the three-point range. Averaging a modest 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists against the Lakers this season, Leonard must maintain his high output to take down the surging Lakers. In his last game, Leonard is coming off a 40-point, eight-rebound, four-assist performance in an eight-point loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs LA Clippers

• Where: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
• When: 10:00 PM EST, Wednesday, April 5, 2023
• How to Watch: ESPN
• Streaming: NBA League Pass