The Battle of LA intensifies in the 2025-26 NBA season as the high-flying Los Angeles Lakers take on the struggling Los Angeles Clippers in a crosstown rivalry matchup. The Lakers, boasting one of the league’s top offenses led by Luka Doncic’s triple-double prowess, enter as heavy favorites against a Clippers team decimated by injuries and mired in a five-game losing streak. With playoff implications for the Lakers and lottery positioning for the Clippers, this game at Intuit Dome could showcase contrasting fortunes in the Western Conference.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This state-of-the-art arena, with a capacity of 18,000, opened in 2024 and serves as the Clippers’ dedicated home, known for its modern amenities and passionate fanbase.
Tip-off is set for 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT local time). The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV, with local options on Spectrum SportsNet for Lakers fans and FanDuel Sports Network – SoCal for Clippers viewers. Streaming is available via NBA League Pass.
Team Records
Los Angeles Lakers: 19-7, third in the Western Conference (first in Pacific Division).
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-21, 14th in the Western Conference (fifth in Pacific Division).
These records are current through December 19, 2025. The Lakers hold a strong home record (12-3) and are contenders for the top seed, while the Clippers have faltered with a 3-13 road mark.
Recent Team Forms
The Lakers are rolling with a two-game winning streak, most recently outlasting the Utah Jazz 143-135 on December 18, where Luka Doncic posted a 45-point triple-double. They previously defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-114 on December 15, showcasing comeback resilience. Earlier in December, they beat the Toronto Raptors on December 4 but had mixed results, averaging 127.6 points over their last five while allowing 120.8. Los Angeles has emphasized pace and three-point shooting in recent wins.
The Clippers are in freefall, extending their losing streak to five with a 122-101 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 19. They fell 121-103 to the Memphis Grizzlies on December 15 and suffered similar blowouts earlier in the month, including a 146-112 loss to the Thunder on December 5. Over their last five, they’ve averaged just 104.2 points while surrendering 121.6, plagued by poor shooting and defensive breakdowns.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | Points For/Against (Last 5) | FG% (Season) | 3PT% (Season) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 4-1 | W2 | 127.6 / 120.8 | 48.2% | 37.1% |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 0-5 | L5 | 104.2 / 121.6 | 44.5% | 33.8% |
Series History
The Lakers hold a dominant all-time regular-season edge over the Clippers, leading 157-87 in 244 meetings. In recent years, Los Angeles has continued its supremacy, going 7-4 in the last 11 games, including a 135-118 victory on November 25, 2025. Over the past 10 encounters, games have averaged 220.8 points, with the Lakers winning six. The home team has prevailed in seven of those 10. This is the second of four scheduled matchups this season, with rematches in January and later.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Guard Austin Reaves (Out – Left calf strain, re-evaluated in one week); Forward Rui Hachimura (Questionable – Undisclosed); LeBron James (Probable – Knee scare from Jazz game, but dodged major injury). The Lakers’ depth could be tested without Reaves’ playmaking, forcing more reliance on Doncic and James.
Los Angeles Clippers: Guard James Harden (Questionable – Calf); Center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Out – Knee); Forward Georges Niang (Out – Foot, yet to debut). The Clippers’ already thin rotation is further strained, with Harden’s status pivotal for their offense.
Player Matchups
This rivalry features star-studded battles, though injuries could alter lineups:
Luka Doncic (LAL, G) vs. James Harden (LAC, G): Doncic (32.7 points, 6.4 assists) comes off a 45-point masterpiece, testing Harden (if available, 20.5 points) in a playmaking duel that could dictate pace.
LeBron James (LAL, F) vs. Kawhi Leonard (LAC, F): James (28.0 points, 10.0 assists) seeks to exploit mismatches, while Leonard (assuming healthy, 22.4 points) brings elite defense to contain the veteran.
Anthony Davis (LAL, C) vs. Ivica Zubac (LAC, C): Davis (24.8 points, 11.5 rebounds) dominates the paint against Zubac (12.6 points, 8.4 rebounds), especially with Clippers’ frontcourt depleted.
D’Angelo Russell (LAL, G) vs. Norman Powell (LAC, G): Russell’s shooting (18.2 points) faces Powell’s scoring off the bench (19.6 points), a key secondary matchup.
The Lakers’ star power gives them a clear advantage.
Betting Trends
The Lakers have been a bettor’s favorite, going 14-12 ATS overall and 8-5 on the road, with the over hitting in 65% of their games due to high-scoring outputs. They’re 4-1 ATS in their last five and 7-3 as favorites. The Clippers are dismal at 8-18-1 ATS, including 2-9 at home, and 1-4 ATS during their skid. Without key players, they’ve failed to cover as underdogs (6-13 ATS). Head-to-head, the Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, and the over has cashed in seven of the last 10 due to offensive fireworks. League-wide trends in December favor overs in 58% of games involving mismatched teams.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Lakers – 3.5
Los Angeles Clippers 229.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 19, 2025
