A fully stocked Monday slate brought plenty of intriguing matchups in the NBA. Although there are only three games on Tuesday, one of them carries a high profile out in the Western Conference.
No matter where the respective teams are at in the standings, the Clippers vs. Lakers battle remains appointment television. Tuesday’s clash (11:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock) is an NBA Cup meeting between the two sides.
Below, we’ll break down a Clippers vs. Lakers prediction and picks to consider for Tuesday night’s game. Use PrizePicks NBA to make player picks and win money if you’re right.
Clippers vs. Lakers Prediction, Preview for Tuesday, 11/25
Both Los Angeles basketball franchises have gone head-to-head 243 times in the regular season. The Lakers play the big brother role, however, with a commanding 156-87 series lead. That includes a three-game winning streak this calendar year.
Injuries are worth monitoring in this one. The Lakers are without C Deandre Ayton, who’s nursing a knee ailment. Across the way, the Clippers are without SG Bradley Beal (hip fracture) and F Derrick Jones Jr. (knee). SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (hip) is questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers Preview vs. Lakers
The 2024 campaign was relatively kind to the Clippers, seeing them win 50+ games for the second year in a row. It ended in familiar fashion, though, via a first-round playoff exit.
This season will require a significant turnaround in order to reach the same level of success. Los Angeles is 5-12 through 17 games.
A stale offense is partially the culprit. L.A. plays a slow brand of basketball, ranking second-to-last in field goal attempts per game (83.9) and sitting 26th in per-game scoring (111.8).
Defensively, the Clippers limit paint production (seventh in paint PPG at 46.7) but opponents shoot the fourth-best percentage against them on 3-pointers (38.6).
Los Angeles Lakers Preview vs. Clippers
Last season featured a 50-win campaign for the first time since 2019 for the Lakers. It also was highlighted by a blockbuster trade for G Luka Doncic, which sent shockwaves throughout the league.
Partially thanks to Doncic being a leading MVP candidate, Los Angeles is off to a red-hot 12-4 start to 2025. The team has rattled off four wins in a row.
The Lakers capitalize on their looks, leading the NBA in efficiency inside the arc (62.1%) and ranking third in overall effective field goal rate (57.2%).
A solid, albeit unspectacular defense is 11th in scoring allowed (114.6 PPG), including No. 8 and 10 rankings for fastbreak PPG (14.1) and paint PPG (49.0).
Clippers vs. Lakers NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three top Clippers vs. Lakers picks to target on Tuesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by C Ivica Zubac, F LeBron James, and G Luka Doncic.
Clippers C Ivica Zubac vs. Lakers Projection: 28.5 Pts + Rebs
- A former Laker, Zubac is averaging 28.6 combined points and rebounds this season. That aggregate figure is 34.0 in his last six games.
- Per databallr, Zubac’s 25.0 defensive rebounding percentage and 21.9% self-rebound clip sit in the 93rd and 91st percentiles, respectively.
- Zubac ranks fifth in the entire NBA in average rebound chances per game with 20.6.
- With Ayton out of the lineup, the Lakers’ paint presence could be put to the test. For his career, C Jaxson Hayes averages 8.6 rebounds per 36 minutes.
Lakers F LeBron James vs. Clippers Projection: 27.5 Pts + Asts
- In his first two games back, James has averaged 24 combined points and assists per outing.
- After playing 29 minutes in his 2025 debut, James’ workload jumped to just over 34 minutes in Sunday’s 108-106 win over the Jazz.
- According to NBARAPM, James averaged a healthy 20.8 potential assists per 100 possessions a season ago. That was his highest mark since 2021.
- In 24 games post-Doncic trade last season, James poured in 24.4 points and 6.6 assists per game
Lakers G Luka Doncic vs. Clippers Projection: 49.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Doncic currently leads the NBA in scoring at 34.5 PPG, pairing that with healthy rebound (8.8) and assist (8.9) averages.
- In his last four games, Doncic’s combined point, rebound and assist average is an eye-popping 50.8.
- Doncic boasts 100th-percentile metrics for defensive rebounding rate (21.8%), potential assists per 100 (19.1), and 3-point attempts per 100 (14.2), via databallr.
- Per FantasyPros, the Clippers yield the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing PGs (53.31).
Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks
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Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA coverage and analysis all season.
