The Los Angeles Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup in Los Angeles; Tuesday, 11 p.m. EST

The Los Angeles Lakers are clearly the team to beat right now, sitting with a strong 12-4 record and ranking second in the Western Conference. Their offense is sharp, scoring an average of 117.3 points per game and shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field. Luka Doncic is leading the charge, averaging a stellar 34.5 points along with 8.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists. Austin Reaves is also adding firepower, averaging around 22 points in recent games. The Lakers have shown great consistency, especially against conference opponents, where they hold a 9-3 record, making them a tough opponent in the NBA Cup group stage.

On the flip side, the Los Angeles Clippers have struggled this season, with a 5-12 record placing them near the bottom of the Western Conference at 12th place. Their recent form hasn’t been great either, winning only two of their last ten games. James Harden is the standout player for the Clippers, averaging 27.8 points and showing his ability to create plays with 8.4 assists per game. Ivica Zubac has been impressive lately too, scoring 33 points on average in the last ten games. Despite the Clippers’ effort and talent, injuries have hurt their chances. Key players like Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic are out, which leaves the team a bit thin.

When it comes to three-point shooting, both teams are pretty lethal. The Lakers average about 10.9 made three-pointers per game, though they allow opponents around 14.9 per game, which means their defense needs to tighten up on the perimeter. The Clippers, meanwhile, average about 13.3 made threes a game, but the Lakers allow slightly fewer than the Clippers permit. This three-point battle could play a huge role in deciding the game since both teams can score quickly from beyond the arc.

Looking at recent form, the Lakers have been solid on both ends of the court, averaging 117.1 points while holding their opponents to 113.6 over the past 10 games. They also excel in rebounds and assists. The Clippers, however, have allowed 118.7 points per game in their last 10 outings, showing their defense is not as tight. Their shooting percentage is also lower than the Lakers’. These stats all point towards the Lakers having a clear edge in overall team performance.

So, can the Clippers pull off an upset against the dominant Lakers? It’s a tough ask given the Clippers’ struggles and injury problems. But with James Harden playing at a high level and Ivica Zubac stepping up, they do have weapons that can challenge the Lakers. If the Clippers can tighten their defense and shoot well from three-point range, they might have a chance. Still, the Lakers are heavily favored to win this NBA Cup group stage battle thanks to their strong form, depth, and key players performing consistently well.

The Lakers are the clear favorites, but in basketball, surprises happen, especially in heated rivalry games like this one. Fans should expect an exciting and competitive matchup when these two Los Angeles teams meet under the bright lights of the NBA Cup group stage.

Wilson Focus Pick: Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers (Lakers -4.5, -118)

I’m leaning toward the Lakers -4.5 because fading the Clippers on the road continues to pay off. They’re a dismal 2–7 away from the Intuit Dome and dragging to the finish of a seven-game road trip, which already feels like a scheduled loss. The Lakers have more continuity right now, picking up 10 wins in their last 12, and with Luka Doncic and LeBron James leading the charge, their offense and pace look steadier.

The Clippers are still not healthy. They are missing Bradley Beal (out for season) and Derrick Jones Jr., with Bogdan Bogdanovic listed as questionable. Even with Kawhi back, their defense hasn’t traveled, giving up one of the highest 3-point volumes and percentages in the league. That plays straight into the Lakers' strengths: they lead the NBA in two-point efficiency and get to the free-throw line at an elite rate, so they don’t need to rely on the three-ball to control this matchup.

The Clippers just haven’t shown any real rhythm yet this season, and even big individual games haven't kept them competitive. The Lakers are healthier, in far better form, and have the clear matchup edges. I’m backing them to get the win and cover this modest number at home, potentially before the spread moves higher. Grab the Lakers -4.5 value right now at Bankroll U!