LA Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions for Friday October 23 2026
Nine and a half points between the Clippers and Lakers? That’s quite a number for two teams that just spent Wednesday night beating up on somebody else. The Lakers made Golden State look pretty ordinary in a 127-105 win. The Clippers did much the same to Sacramento, winning 121-96. Neither team had to sweat much in the fourth quarter. Now the Lakers are getting nearly ten points of respect from the bookmakers, and I’m having trouble buying that much separation after one game.
I get why the Lakers are favored. Luka Doncic looked comfortable running the show, Walker Kessler couldn’t miss, and the Warriors didn’t have much of an answer for either one. But the Clippers weren’t exactly scraping by against Sacramento. They played a pretty complete game themselves. The Clippers visit the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, October 23, 2026. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET. The Lakers are favored by 9.5 points, with the total at 229.5. Check out our free NBA picks for more games.
LA Clippers Aren’t Coming In Just To Make Up The Numbers
The Clippers are 1-0 after beating Sacramento 121-96. They scored 41 in the first quarter, and the Kings never held a lead. Sacramento managed to get within seven at halftime, but the Clippers put another 32 points on the board in the third. That took care of any comeback talk. Not bad for a team that came into the season with a few questions about its lineup.
What caught my attention was the defense. The Clippers had 14 steals and held Sacramento to 96 points. They also shot 52.4% themselves, making 14 of 35 from three. Now, I don’t expect them to shoot like that every night. The Lakers are a different problem, particularly around the basket. But the Clippers weren’t relying on one guy making ridiculous shots. They were moving the ball, getting contributions from the bench, and making Sacramento work.
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Darius Garland scored 30 in his Clippers debut, hitting 11 of 19 shots. Brook Lopez gave them 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Keaton Wagler had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the reserves combined for 53 points. The injury list is pretty crowded, though. Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Max Strus, Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all listed. That’s a lot of missing bodies, especially against a Lakers team with some size. Lopez may have to do more work inside than the Clippers would prefer.
Los Angeles Lakers Have Something Going Already
The Lakers are 1-0 after beating Golden State 127-105. They led by 14 at halftime, then put the game away with a 36-16 third quarter. The Warriors looked tired of chasing them by that point. Los Angeles led by as many as 35, and the fourth quarter was mostly a formality. A pretty convincing way to open the season.
The Lakers shot 58.2% from the floor. That’s terrific, but it’s also a number I’d be careful about carrying into the next game. Walker Kessler made all 12 of his shots, and Golden State gave the Lakers too many good looks. The Clippers just held Sacramento to 96, so I expect a little more resistance Friday. Still, the Lakers have an advantage inside, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t try to make the most of it.
Doncic finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against Golden State. Kessler scored 26 without missing a field goal, and Austin Reaves chipped in 23 points and six assists. That’s plenty of scoring even without LeBron James, who is no longer with the club. Collin Sexton is out with a soleus injury, Adou Thiero has a knee issue, and Cameron Carr is dealing with an oblique injury. The Lakers are missing some depth, but their main offensive pieces looked sharp Wednesday.
LA Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions
LA Clippers +9.5 (-110)
I think the Lakers win. Kessler is going to be a handful for the Clippers, and Doncic can take over a game without much warning. But I don’t want to lay nine and a half points against a team that just scored 121 and played solid defense. Garland looked good, Lopez gives the Clippers another scoring option, and their bench did a lot of the work against Sacramento. The injuries worry me. They should. Still, the Lakers shot nearly 60% against Golden State, and I’m not betting on that happening again. Give me the Clippers to keep this within single digits.
Under 229.5 Points (-110)
I’m going under 229.5. The Clippers gave up 96 against Sacramento, while the Lakers held Golden State to 105. Those are good defensive starts, even allowing for the fact that both opponents had rough nights. The Lakers aren’t likely to shoot 58.2% again, and the Clippers should have a harder time getting clean looks against this frontcourt. Doncic could get hot and turn the whole thing into a shootout. That’s always possible. But I’d rather bet on a more competitive, slightly slower game than another night where everybody seems to be shooting into an empty basket. Lakers 116, Clippers 109.
Final Picks: LA Clippers +9.5 (-110) and Under 229.5 Points (-110)
This preview was completed October 22, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting lineups may change before tipoff.
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