Clippers have a leg up in the battle for Los Angeles
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (left) and Los Angeles Lakers guard LeBron James jockey for position. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
February 20th, 2020
The battle for NBA Western Conference supremacy has reached the home stretch. A Lakers-versus-Clippers collision course feels inevitable, despite all efforts by the Nuggets, Rockets, and Jazz to disrupt that potential matchup.
Odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship
| Team | 2020 NBA Championship Odds |
|---|
Milwaukee Bucks | +260 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +300 |
Los Angeles Clippers | +310 |
Houston Rockets | +1300 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +1500 |
The Clippers have owned the Lakers this season
The Clippers are 2-0 against the Lakers this season. There is no doubt elite NBA teams have the ability to improve in the playoffs, but the Clippers might just have a matchup edge on their Los Angeles rival.
Even though they haven't defeated the Clippers, the Lakers—the projected No. 1 seed in the West—are slight favorites to win the Western Conference.
Patrick Beverley, before the season, said the Clippers were the best team in Los Angeles.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) March 5, 2019
Tonight, he ate it up as the Clippers beat the Lakers to push the Lakers to the brink of elimination in the playoff race. pic.twitter.com/fKMOq3N24g
Do the Lakers deserve to be favored?
The fact that the Lakers are favored is a bit odd. Part of the reason why they are favored is that, through a significant sample size of 55 games, they have been slightly more efficient on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor.
They also have LeBron James and they are the Lakers, and the market prices those entities a bit differently than any others in the sport.
The Clippers, however, are clearly the deeper team and have the best active player on the planet. Kawhi Leonard is unguardable, but he’s also the best-equipped player to slow down LeBron down.
"He may have just broke the rim!"@KingJames dunked so hard the game stopped for a second 😳 pic.twitter.com/aRWdl2CRrS
— ESPN (@espn) February 13, 2020
The Clippers have loaded their roster for the playoffs
The Clippers have also made moves to solidify their roster. Lou Williams is already an elite scorer to provide Leonard and Paul George relief, but they recently added veteran guard Reggie Jackson and forward Marcus Morris, as well.
Morris came from the Washington Wizards and has been experiencing his highest points-per-game average of his career (19.6). The Clippers have more players capable of scoring points in bunches, and with elite defenders Patrick Beverly, George, and Leonard, the Lakers will likely be dependent on Anthony Davis and other post players to have sustained success.
The Clippers are trying so hard to sign everyone just to lose to the Lakers pic.twitter.com/ITKT0Bc4hD
— Isaiah 👑 (@HoodieIsaiah) February 18, 2020
There is a long way to go until we get the matchup everybody wants to see in the Western Conference, but assuming it arrives, the Clippers look like the better wager at better odds. The Clippers have more shooters, better guards, and the best player in the NBA. I’d rather have +160 in a coin-flip than +130.
Who do you think will win the Battle of L.A.? Wager on NBA futures today at BetAmerica.
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