NBA tips: Los Angeles derby headlines big basketball weekend

Although they're chasing an NBA title, the Lakers remain second best in LA, ahead of Friday night's clash with their city rivals. It’s the Battle of LA – but the Hollywood glitz is fast.

LA Lakers @ LA Clippers

Saturday 26 February, 3am 

It was primed to be a derby to equal City v United or Celtic v Rangers, and run for years to come. LeBron versus Kawhi. AD vs. PG13. The supremacy of Los Angeles at stake. Two star-laden teams with lofty ambitions and aspirations of a NBA Championship.

The LA Lakers drew first blood with a title two seasons ago. The Los Angeles Clippers spending big to finally step out of the shadow of their long-time neighbours.

Instead, as each re-emerges from the All Star break, both hold sub-.500 records and are clinging on solely to Play-in places rather than taking command of the West. Both rag-tag bunches, floundering in full view, even with superstars in their midst. 

Few teams had a worst mid-season break than the Lakers, given the unsubtle pot shots from James thrown at the team’s front office and the planting of aspirations to finish his career elsewhere. No-one has ever played better at the age of 37. A waste of arguably now the second-ranked player in the NBA’s 75^th Anniversary team. 

Averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a PER of 26.81, LeBron loves his stats, seemingly hates his team. And with Davis likely out for a month and Russell Westbrook an expensive misfit, there seems little optimism to inhale. 

The Lakers – favoured at 1.89 for the win - are a pitiful 8-16 against opponents with winning records and although they are 25-23 when they reach 100 points, they have conceded an average of 109.8 over their last 15 games, of which they won only six.

That does not bode well against the Clippers who, despite not having their two A-List stars, have a differential of precisely zero over their previous 15 outings and picked up a 111-110 victory this month when these sides last met. 

There is always a chance this could be the start of a second half revival for their rivals who the markets give a mere 5% chance of lifting the championship. More likely, another year to forget for the Lakers and a derby that will matter not.

Recommended Bet: Go under 222.5 total points @ 1.98

The Clippers beat the Lakers 111-110 when the teams last met

Boston Celtics @ Detroit Pistons

Saturday 26 February, 5pm 

Rebounding from an indifferent start that had them below .500 on January 22, the Celtics were praying that the All Star interval did not kill their momentum. 

Over 13 games, they went 11-2 on a mind boggling points differential of +19.4. Defence-first, conceding an average of 94.4 in that spell. Spoilt only at the end by a 112-111 home loss to Detroit – a defeat for which quick vengeance can be achieved on Saturday afternoon.

Boston seem just fine, coming off a 23-point victory at the Brooklyn Nets in their Thursday return to action, extended a six-game winning streak on the road.

The C’s have become a juggernaut by switching their centre Robert Williams III as a cover-all safety with small mobile wings as a barrier around him, and allowing few shots in the paint.

Right now, they are at 41 for the Eastern Conference and that might be a ridiculous steal. Only – maybe – the Milwaukee Bucks look better-equipped to contend now, and that is solely if all their chips are back at the table.

A problem for otherwise struggling Detroit who, despite Cade Cunningham’s Rising Stars Game showcase, are going nowhere fast and make the Celtics good value on a handicap of -10.

Recommended Bet: Go under 218.5 total points @ 1.68

Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns

Sunday 27 February, 8.30pm 

A busy weekend for the Suns with three games in four days coming out of All Star, a spell in which it was confirmed that Chris Paul will be lost for 6-8 weeks with a fractured thumb.

It was all going so well for Phoenix who have ascended to be NBA title favourites at 5.9 and had constructed a 6.5 game lead over the Golden State Warriors.

They have been previously resilient, going .844 on a single day’s rest and with enough depth to cover the loss of Paul. Despite scoring 124 against OKC on Thursday, his spell out may hurt the Suns offensively against elite foes – they are +10.4 points per 100 possessions with CP3 on the court. 

And with Utah a high-scoring opponent, Sunday’s prime-timer could be one where Phoenix are vulnerable to slip up.

Recommended Bet: take the Jazz over the Suns on a handicap of -4.5 

Recommended bets

Under 222.5 points in Lakers-Clippers @ 1.98

Under 218 points in Boston-Detroit

Jazz on -4.5 handicap