The Los Angeles Lakers should be riding high after their statement road win over the defending champion Warriors on Christmas. Instead, there is concern about an injury to their superstar. LeBron James left the game early with a groin injury and if he misses Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers it would have a humongous effect on the spread.
The Lakers are the superior team, and even though the teams share an arena, they have the designated home game in this matchup. The Clippers would be the clear underdogs against a healthy James but if he is out it really muddles things.
The Lakers were a lottery team last season when James was still with the Cavaliers and his status must be watched closely in NBA gambling.
This NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 28th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on NBA TV.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA season.
NBA Betting at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
The Lakers have a record of 20-14 on the season, which is good for fourth place in the Western Conference and within 2.5 games of the three teams ahead of them in the standings. The Lakers have gone an impressive 12-5 at home on the year but of course that has been with James leading the way.
The Clippers have come back down to earth after a blazing start. They are 19-14 on the season but have lost seven of their past 10 games. The Clippers are 8-10 on the road this season but don’t have to worry about traveling for this one.
Injury Update
James injured his groin in the third quarter of Tuesday’s win over the Warriors. He said he heard a pop and after trying to stretch, decided it best to shut down for the night. James is scheduled to have an MRI on Wednesday which will give a better idea about the severity of the injury.
James has played in 156 straight games including the playoffs but his availability seems to be in serious doubt. If he misses any significant chunk of time, it will be a big blow to the Lakers. James is averaging 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists on the season and continues to be arguably the best player in the league.
Last Time Out
James’ injury was a bummer because the Lakers really played well against Golden State. They built a 15-point lead at halftime and then withstood a Warriors rally. The Lakers dominated the fourth quarter and cruised to a 127-101 win. It is the type of signature victory that can give a young team like the Lakers a lot of confidence.
Kyle Kuzma had a nice game for the Lakers, scoring 19 points while adding six rebounds. The Lakers showed nice depth in this one as seven different players scored in double figures. The Los Angeles defense was also impressive in the win as the Warriors shot only 25 percent from three-point range.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Lakers will lose a ton if James can’t play, but considering they are at home, this is still a winnable game. The Clippers’ start is looking more like smoke and mirrors than anything else at this stage as the team lacks star power.
The belief is that James may have to miss this game, but even so, the Lakers are the pick to continue their hot streak by picking up a nice home win in NBA gambling. The scoring total will be affected as well if James can’t play as he makes everything easier for his teammates.
NBA ATS Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 109, Los Angeles Clippers 105
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
