Los Angeles vs. Los Angeles

The NBA is back! Make no mistake, this is a very important game in the bubble, with major playoff implications. These are the two leading teams in the Western Conference, and I expect some defensive intensity. I also expect some rustiness. With the total on this ballooning from 216 up to 220, I think the UNDER has value, especially considering that the status of Anthony Davis and his 26.4 points per game is unclear after he got poked in the eye on Saturday. The last three meetings between these teams went UNDER this total. The Clippers are 19-13 UNDER on the road this season. That includes a very nice 12-2 UNDER mark on the road vs. winning teams. The Lakers are 19-9 UNDER this season when facing good shooting teams like the Clippers (teams averaging .460 or better from the field). The Lakers are also 27-18 UNDER this season when facing up-tempo teams like the Clippers (teams averaging 88+ shots per game). The Clips are looking to avenge a loss in their first meeting this year. And in the role of revenging a home loss, they are 21-5 to the UNDER the past two seasons. Take the UNDER here.