Los Ángeles Lakers vs Los Ángeles Clippers Picks and Prediction for Wednesday October 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers will travel to Inglewood, California, Wednesday night for a Western Conference showdown against the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome. The game is scheduled to begin at 10:30 PM ET and will be available on NBA League Pass. The Lakers come into this matchup 3-1 on the year following the loss to the Blazers Tuesday night at home. The Los Angeles Clippers enter Wednesday night with just one win in their first 3 outings, riding a 2-game skid after a 7-point loss to Oklahoma City last time out. The Lakers come into this matchup a -5.5 favorite and a -205 on the money line. The Clippers are a +170 home dog, and the total is set at 228.5. Stay up to date with our NBA Picks.
Lakers look to get back on track
The Los Angeles Lakers offense is averaging 128 points per game on 55% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, Los Angeles has been solid, holding opponents to 115 points per game, but they gave up 136 points Tuesday night to Portland in the loss. Luka Doncic is leading the Los Angeles offense this season, averaging 34.3 points and eight assists per game. Austin Reaves is second on the team, averaging 26.7 points per game. Walker Kessler is third on the roster, averaging 16.7 points, and he leads the team with eight rebounds per game. Ziaire Williams is fourth on the team, averaging 11.3 points, making him the only other player on the roster averaging double digits.
Defensively, Los Angeles struggled Tuesday night as Portland scored 136 points, including 68 in each half, on 59% shooting from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc. Offensively, Los Angeles was solid, scoring 129 points on 56% shooting from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc. Los Angeles lost the rebounding battle by seven and turned the ball over 15 times in the loss. Luka Doncic led the way for the Los Angeles offense with 41 points and nine assists on 22 shots.
Key Injury Report for LAL:
- Cameron Carr (Out) – Oblique
- Adou Thiero (Out) – Knee
Clippers try to stay perfect at home
The Los Angeles Clippers are averaging 113 points on 49% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 109.7 points per game, though the Clippers have given up an average of 116.5 points per game during their current two-game losing streak. Darius Garland is leading the Los Angeles offense this season, averaging 24 points and seven assists per game. Brook Lopez is second on the team, averaging 18 points per game. Keaton Wagler is averaging 13 points, and Derrick Jones Jr. is averaging 11.7 points per game. Rui Hachimura is averaging 10.3 points and leads the team, pulling in six rebounds per game.
Offensively, Los Angeles struggled a bit in its last outing, scoring 101 points on 46% shooting and 39% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Los Angeles gave up 108 points, including 65 in the second half, as Oklahoma City shot 45% from the floor. The Clippers lost the rebounding battle by eight and turned the ball over 26 times in the loss. Darius Garland led the way for the Clippers offense with 16 points and 11 assists on 17 shots.
Key Injury Report for LAC:
- Rui Hachimura (Out) – Quad
- Bradley Beal (Out) – Knee
- Max Strus (Out) – Foot
- Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Out) -Foot
- Brandon Ingram (Out) - Achilles
Los Angeles Lakers vs LA Clippers Picks and Prediction
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5
The Lakers have been difficult to slow down offensively early in the season, and Wednesday's matchup provides another opportunity for Luka Doncic to take control. Doncic can dictate the pace of the game, create favorable matchups, and force opposing defenses to commit additional attention whenever he attacks the basket. Austin Reaves gives the Lakers another reliable scoring option who can take advantage of the extra space created by Doncic. The Clippers have enough defensive talent to make this matchup competitive, but they will need to avoid allowing the Lakers to establish a comfortable offensive rhythm. Los Angeles has also shown it can overcome difficult stretches and respond with strong scoring runs. Expect the Lakers to use their offensive versatility and ability to create high-percentage shots to bounce back from the loss Tuesday as they secure another victory over their city rivals.
Pick: Over 228.5
The Lakers have been productive offensively to begin the season, and their ability to score in bunches could lead to another high-scoring performance Wednesday night. Doncic and Reaves are both capable of taking over offensively, while the Lakers interior presence creates additional scoring opportunities around the basket. The Clippers should also find success offensively if they can attack before the Lakers establish their defense. Both teams have enough offensive firepower to produce extended scoring runs, particularly if the game remains competitive into the fourth quarter. Look for the Lakers to set the tone offensively while the Clippers contribute enough scoring to push the combined total higher.
Final Picks: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 and Over 228.5
Preview completed prior to stats update from gameplay on Tuesday