Lakers vs Clippers Free Pick, NBA Free Pick & Predictions 1/22/25

J.A. Cavalier
Jan 22
2 min read

NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS

Lakers vs Clippers Free Pick

The “Battle of LA” takes center stage tonight, January 22, 2026, as the Los Angeles Lakers travel across town to face the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET, and while rivalry games often bring unpredictability, this matchup is shaping up to be defined by a clear analytical imbalance.

The Lakers enter at 26–16 and are listed as slim -1.5 favorites, led by the superstar pairing of Luka Dončić and LeBron James. That duo has given Los Angeles one of the most efficient and versatile offenses in the league, particularly in the interior, where their size, vision, and finishing ability consistently pressure opposing defenses. Against a Clippers team that has struggled to maintain defensive structure all season, that advantage is difficult to ignore.

Los Angeles’ edge becomes even more pronounced when examining the Clippers’ current form. Defensive consistency has been a recurring issue, and injuries have further weakened their ability to protect the rim. Breakdowns in help defense and poor interior rotations have left them vulnerable to high-percentage looks, an area where the Lakers excel at converting efficiently rather than relying solely on perimeter shooting.

In rivalry games, execution often matters more than emotion, and the numbers suggest the Lakers are better equipped to control the areas that decide outcomes. If Dončić and James are able to establish their presence inside early, forcing defensive collapses and creating efficient scoring opportunities, Los Angeles should be well-positioned to dictate the flow of the game and justify their status as road favorites in this latest chapter of the Battle of LA.

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FREE PICK Under 224.5

Clippers play basketball like they’re allergic to pace. They rank 29th in tempo at 96.6 possessions, dead last in transition frequency, and that means fewer shots, fewer easy points, and a whole lot of halfcourt grinding. That’s death for an Over, especially in a rivalry game where nobody wants to get embarrassed. The Clippers live in the halfcourt, the Lakers can lock in defensively when games slow down, and suddenly this total looks inflated. Public sees LA and star power and clicks Over; sharps see pace suppression and take the Under. This isn’t a track meet—it’s a chess match, and chess games don’t land at 225.