Dončić’s Lakers vs Clippers: a rematch after the first derby of the season. NBA game prediction
The Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers will meet in the early hours of Thursday, October 29, in the NBA regular season, with tip-off scheduled for 03:30 CET. I am backing the game to produce plenty of points.
H2H and statistical facts
- The Clippers have lost their last two games.
- The Lakers have suffered just one defeat so far this season.
- The Lakers have beaten the Clippers in three consecutive head-to-head meetings.
Los Angeles Clippers: errors must be corrected
The Clippers opened the season with a convincing 121-96 win over Sacramento, but then lost to the Lakers 117-125. In their next game, the team fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-108. As a result, the Clippers head into another derby with one win and two defeats, while their latest outing showed that scoring against a strong opponent can be difficult for the team.
The defeat to their city rivals was particularly frustrating because the Clippers remained in contention for a long time. However, after a closely fought first half, the Lakers exploded in the third quarter, scoring 39 points and building a lead their opponents were never able to completely erase.
The Clippers’ primary offensive orchestrator at the start of the season has been point guard Darius Garland. Across the first three games, he averaged 24 points and seven assists. Center Brook Lopez has also made a significant contribution, averaging 18 points per game. Both players should be key figures in the upcoming matchup as well.
The Clippers need to improve their work on the glass: they have not been particularly convincing on the boards at the start of the season. In the previous derby, the Lakers capitalized on their opponents’ turnovers and turned them into easy points. If the home team takes better care of the ball, moves it more actively around the perimeter and limits open looks for the opposition, their chances of revenge will increase significantly.
Los Angeles Lakers: Dončić can decide the outcome
The Lakers made a flying start to the regular season, beating the Golden State Warriors 127-105, then overcoming the Clippers 125-117 before defeating the Utah Jazz 132-123 on the road. However, in their latest game, the team lost to Portland 129-136. Despite the defeat, the Lakers continue to play at a high offensive tempo and have already shown that they can score heavily against a variety of opponents.
The team’s biggest star is Luka Dončić, who has made an impressive start to the season. In the win over Utah, the Slovenian scored 52 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Against Portland, he was once again the Lakers’ leading scorer with 41 points. Dončić can create opportunities both for himself and his teammates, so the Clippers’ defense will have to pay him special attention.
Austin Reaves’ contribution is no less important. In the previous derby against the Clippers, he scored 28 points and handed out nine assists, then added another 26 points against Portland. Center Walker Kessler has also proved to be a valuable addition: he strengthens the team in the paint and helps on the boards.
Unlike the Clippers, the Lakers have already shown that they can adjust during games and fight their way back through the individual brilliance of their leaders. However, the packed schedule could affect the players’ freshness: after facing Portland, they will have another derby with virtually no rest. The key to success will be finding a balance between fast breaks and dependable defense, as well as Dončić and Reaves’ ability to involve their teammates without turning the offense into a series of individual plays.
What bet should you place?
The upcoming matchup promises to be a high-scoring affair. The Clippers will be motivated to avenge their recent defeat, but the Lakers look more dangerous offensively thanks to the form of Dončić and Reaves. At the same time, the recent loss to Portland is a reminder that the Lakers have defensive issues the Clippers can exploit. We expect a fiercely contested game with a high number of scoring possessions, in which a lot will depend on the closing minutes. My pick is over 223 total points.
