"Tonight's Clippers vs Lakers battle for LA is one about zip code bragging rights and two teams trending in opposite directions as the Western Conference playoff race tightens. The Lakers exit the All-Star break with something they haven't had all season; A completely clean injury report. With Luka Doncic back from a hamstring strain to join LeBron James and Austin Reaves, JJ Redick finally has his full arsenal ready to go."
"The Clippers, on the other hand, are walking into a buzzsaw. They're playing their second game in 24 hours after a literal last-second win over Denver last night. While Kawhi Leonard has been playing some of the most clinical basketball of his career, carrying the load on zero rest against a rejuvenated Lakers squad is a massive ask. He'll have to throw it back to All-Star weekend, where "The Claw" completely took over, if the Clippers have a shot tonight."
The Lakers enter the post-All-Star stretch with a completely clean injury report and Luka Doncic back from a hamstring strain alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Head coach JJ Redick can deploy a full rotation, balancing a high-octane offense with a consistent defensive identity. The Clippers survived a physical, one-point win over Denver last night and now face a second game in 24 hours. Kawhi Leonard has been exceptionally clinical but may be stretched on zero rest. Oddsmakers favor the Lakers by nearly double digits, with the game total set in the mid-220s.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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