Clippers vs. Lakers Prediction, NBA Odds & Best Bets (10/23)

Fact checked at 10:04 AM ET, Oct 23, 2026

Odds as of Oct 23, 10:02 AM ET

The first Battle of L.A. of the season matches two teams that won their openers Wednesday. The Lakers beat Golden State 127-105, with 28 points from Luka Doncic and 26 from Walker Kessler, who made all 12 of his field-goal attempts. The Clippers, in their first season without Kawhi Leonard, routed Sacramento 121-96 behind 30 from Darius Garland. They did that without Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram and Max Strus, and all three are out again Friday. Rui Hachimura, who left the Lakers for the Clippers in July, is expected to start against his old team.

The Lakers are 9.5-point favorites. Jake LaRavia (right ankle) is questionable for them, Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero are out, and Collin Sexton is off the injury report after missing the opener. Both teams played at home Wednesday and had Thursday off. Tip-off is Friday at 10:00 PM ET at Crypto.com Arena.

We expect the Lakers to win, but not by double digits. Their opening-night shooting is unlikely to carry over against a Clippers defense that just held Sacramento to 96, and a final around 115-108 is the game we're betting on. Both picks cash in that game.

Clippers vs. Lakers Predictions

• Pick #1: Clippers +9.5 (-115)
• Pick #2: Lakers Team Total Under 118.5 (-118)

PICK #1: Clippers +9.5 (-115)

The larger bets are with the underdog. The Clippers have 64% of spread bets and 81% of the money, and their price at +9.5 has gone from -110 at the open to -115 without the number moving. That price implies a 53.5% chance.

DRatings projects the Lakers by 5.4 (116.3 to 110.9), four points short of this spread. The opener gives a reason to trust the Clippers' defense: Sacramento shot 42% and went 8-of-28 from three, and the Clippers forced 17 turnovers with 14 steals. It's one game, but Beal, Ingram and Strus were already out for it, so it's the same group that plays Friday.

Scoring is where this can go wrong. Garland handles most of the shot creation, and behind him are rookie Keaton Wagler and a bench that leaned on Gradey Dick and Kobe Sanders. An off night from Garland could bury the Clippers early, and Sexton gives the Lakers another ball handler.

PICK #2: Lakers Team Total Under 118.5 (-118)

Golden State let the Lakers shoot 46-of-81 (57%), make 24 of 27 free throws and score 66 points in the paint. That's a hard night to repeat, and the Clippers' defense looked a lot sharper than Golden State's on Wednesday. The Lakers averaged 116.3 points last season with a different roster, and DRatings has them at 116.3 again here, under this line. At -118, the implied chance is 54.1%.

The market has leaned the same direction. The game total opened at 229.5 and is down to 226.5 at most books, and 64% of the money on the total is on the Under, from 36% of the bets.

Kessler scored at will against a small Golden State lineup, and the Clippers are expected to start Isaiah Jackson at center, who played only 15 minutes in the opener because of foul trouble, with Yanic Konan Niederhauser out. More fouls on Jackson or a hot start from Doncic could push the Lakers past 118.5 by themselves.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.