The Los Angeles Clippers will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in a battle for the city on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Lakers prediction and pick.

Neither of these teams has lived up to the preseason expectations set for them. The Clippers were expected to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season, but injuries and subpar play have led them to a 30-31 record and the eighth seed in the West.

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The Lakers have been equally disappointing, earning a 27-31 record and the ninth seed. Head coach Frank Vogel's team is far too talented to be sitting around towards the bottom of the conference, but this game is a huge opportunity to turn things around. This game will be a close one, so let's get into the pick.

Here are the Clippers-Lakers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NBA Odds: Clippers-Lakers Odds

Los Angeles Clippers: +3 (-108)

Los Angeles Lakers: -3 (-112)

Over: 221.5 (-110)

Under: 221.5 (-110)

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Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread

The Clippers will rely on their defense to keep things close, just like they have in every single game they've played this season. Head coach Tyronn Lue's team has been stifling opponents all season long, as shown by the fact that they only allow 107 points per game. The Clippers hold their opponents to a 44% shooting percentage, one of the best defensive numbers in the NBA. They also rank inside the top five in the league in effective field goal percentage allowed and shooting percentage allowed. This is a tough defense to deal with for any team in the league, including the middling Lakers.

The Lakers will be dealing with a plethora of injuries in this game, despite just coming off of the All-Star Break. Star center Anthony Davis is out with a long term injury, starting shooting guard Avery Bradley has been ruled out of this game, and LeBron James is questionable for the contest. If James doesn't play, the Clippers are locks to cover this spread. Even if he does, the absences of Davis and Bradley will have a huge impact.

Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread

The Clippers aren't the only Los Angeles defense that will find success on Friday night. The Lakers haven't been nearly as good as their opponents on defense, but the Clippers are often so incapable on offense that it shouldn't matter too much. The Clips rank in the bottom ten in the NBA in nearly every single important offensive category while the Lakers are a decent defensive team. LeBron and crew hold their opponents to a 45% shooting percentage, with similarly mediocre numbers in shooting efficiency allowed and effective field goal percentage. Despite the fact that the Lakers are a middling-at-best defense, they should be able to hold off the Clippers offense.

While this is technically a home game for both teams, it's really still a Lakers home game. The crowd will be filled with Lakers supporters, a situation in which the Lakers have thrived in. They're an abysmal 9-18 when they play on the road, but that record improves massively to 18-13 in Crypto.com Arena.

Final Clippers-Lakers Prediction & Pick

It's hard to justify having the Clippers as underdogs here. They've won this matchup twice this season, and now the Lakers will be missing key pieces as they head into this game. The Clippers should cover at the very least.

Final Clippers-Lakers Prediction & Pick: Los Angeles Clippers: +3 (-108)