The Los Angeles Clippers (1-0) and Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. The game will broadcast live on Spectrum SportsNet.
The Lakers are 9.5-point favorites over the Clippers on the spread, with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. The Lakers are -380 moneyline favorites to win outright, while the Clippers are listed as +300 underdogs to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Clippers vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, October 23.
Clippers vs Lakers Prediction
- Clippers vs Lakers pick: Clippers ML (+310)
My Clippers vs. Lakers best bet is Clippers moneyline (+310), with the best price currently available at DraftKings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Clippers vs Lakers Odds
- Clippers vs Lakers spread: Lakers -9.5 (-105), Clippers +9.5 (-115)
- Clippers vs Lakers over/under: 226.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Clippers vs Lakers moneyline: Clippers +300, Lakers -380
Clippers vs Lakers NBA Preview
In another regional battle, I will be looking to the Lakers and Clippers for my Friday night selection as the two Los Angeles foes prepare to duke it out at Crypto.com Arena.
While the first matchup featured two teams seeking their first win of the season, both Los Angeles squads got off to a phenomenal start to their respective 2026-27 NBA seasons, with both winning by over 20 points.
Despite the Lakers currently sitting as massive 9.5-point favorites to win on Friday night, I think that the organization’s “brand” value and Luka Doncic's stardom are somewhat baked into betting markets, especially when facing a smaller-market, young Clippers team that, from the general public’s perspective, lacks a true superstar.
On that note, this Clippers team has some extremely young and talented players who are in prime positions to succeed this season.
The Clips’ backcourt features Darius Garland, who was never really put in the best position to develop to his full potential when playing for the Cavaliers, and that is exactly what he has been given in LA.
Not only did Garland score 30 points in the opener, but his backcourt mate Keaton Wagler was spectacular in his first-ever NBA game. Like Garland, Keaton has a beautiful three-point stroke, which was put on full display as he knocked down three triples in the Clippers’ season-opening victory.
On the other hand, the Lakers are still looking for a new identity since LeBron James left the team, and there has been some turmoil in the media regarding Luka and his behavior toward other players.
Luka is also coming off a 38-point near-triple-double, and I expect this young Clippers squad to really play with a chip on its shoulder following the team’s first victory.
Clippers vs Lakers Pick, Betting Analysis
The Clippers also have some elite perimeter defenders, including the likes of Derrick Jones and Kris Dunn, both of whom could definitely apply some relentless pressure when Luka has the ball in his hands.
With Bradley Beal and Brandon Ingram remaining doubtful to play, I think betting markets are slightly overreacting to a young squad that still has the potential to pull off the upset in one of the first regular-season NBA games.
In a Rui Hachimura revenge spot with the city of Los Angeles on the line, I think we are getting a great number on the Clippers to win on Friday night at +310.
Pick: Clippers ML (+310)
