Odds Favor Clippers Finishing Ahead of Lakers in NBA Standings
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Updated: May 14, 2020 at 2:20 pm EDTPublished:
- The Los Angeles Clippers are favored to finish ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA standings
- The Clippers are currently eighth in the Western Conference, three games ahead of the Lakers
- Sportsbooks also favor the Clippers to win the season series from the Lakers
Is LA a Clipper joint? Sportsbooks certainly think so. Odds favor the Los Angeles Clippers sitting higher in the standings than the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of the season.
Will the Clippers or Lakers Finish Higher in the Regular Season Standings?
| Which Los Angeles Team Will Finish Higher in NBA Regular Season Standings? | Odds (02/19/19) |
|---|---|
| Clippers | -160 |
| Lakers | +140 |
The Clippers are currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 32-27 record, which would give them the final playoff position. The Lakers are 10th overall in the West at 28-29, three games behind the Clippers.
Yeah, But the Lakers Have LeBron
If the NBA playoffs began today, they would do so without LeBron James, and that would be big news. Kings James has played in the NBA Finals every spring for the past eight years. Can they even hold the NBA Finals without LeBron? We may soon find out.
The Lakers are privately a little concerned about LeBron James, who's averaging a triple double since his return from a groin injury but is just not moving at the same speed or engaging at the point of attack.
From @joevardon https://t.co/vp3mS6UYV1 pic.twitter.com/DP3kVdASQ2
— The Athletic L.A. (@TheAthleticLA) February 18, 2019
James hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2004-05, his second season in the NBA. But there are reports that the Lakers are worried the groin injury that recently cost James 17 games hasn’t fully healed. Without James from December 27th-January 29th, the Lakers went 6-11 and dropped from fourth in the West to 10th overall.
Clippers Going at a Better Clip
Since a five-game losing streak in mid-January, the Clippers are 8-6, overall and 5-3 in their last eight road games, including a 3-3 slate during a rugged six games in 10 days stretch through the East. They have three 20-point comebacks for wins on the road this season.
Highlights from the THIRD 20+ point comeback of the road trip. pic.twitter.com/iIVp3bv8AA
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 10, 2019
If you are looking for difference between the two teams, it starts right there. The Clippers are a stellar 16-15 away from home. Golden State (19-9) and Oklahoma City (17-7) are the other only other Western Conference teams with winning road slates.
7 takeaways from #Lakers six-game road trip (via @teapester725) https://t.co/GYYaWBQs5K #NBA #LakeShow
— Lake Show Life (@TheLakeShowLife) February 13, 2019
The Lakers are a dismal 12-17 on the road and were 2-4 on their own recent six-game trip. Last season, every team with a winning road record qualified for the NBA playoffs. The Clippers look to be the best bet to come out ahead of the Lakers.
The Clippers and Lakers have split two games this season and will play twice more.
The Lakers have won two of the past three meetings, but prior to that, the Clippers won 17 of 18 going back to 2014.
Which LA Team Will Win Their Regular Season Series?
| Which Los Angeles Team Will Win Their NBA Regular Season Series? | Odds (02/19/19) |
|---|---|
| Clippers | +350 |
| Lakers | +150 |
| Tie | +125 |
The Lakers won 123-120 in overtime in LeBron’s return from injury after falling 118-107 on December 28th without James.
Regardless, the Clippers stretched their lead over the Lakers from two to three games since James’ return. Take the Clippers here as well.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
