Rogers' 10* Total MASSACRE >> SIZZLING 31-13-3 Past 7 Days!
(NBA) LA Clippers vs. LA Lakers,
Total: 213.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Push
The set-up: The struggling Lakers have lost 12 of their last 13 games and host the Clippers Christmas night at Staples Center (both teams call that court home) just 11-22 on the season. The Clippers are 22-9 but the team's two All Stars, Blake Griffin (21.2-8.8-4.1) and Chris Paul (17.6-5.2-9.6) are each dealing with injuries.

LA Clippers: Griffin has the more serious issue having just had successful arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Paul is dealing with a hamstring issue and is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Lakers. "Unfortunately, but luckily, I'm well-versed in dealing with a hamstring injury," Paul said after the Clippers' 106-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure I can get back. I want to play." The Clippers' modified lineup included Paul Pierce and Raymond Felton in the starting-five on Friday, and the loss of the two players who handle the ball most was evident in the 20 turnovers the team committed. SG Redick averages 15.2 PPG, Crawford remains a solid scorer off the bench (12.2) and center Jordan is a double-double machine (11.6 & 13.0).

LA Lakers: The Lakers return home after a 1-6 road trip, blowing 19-point leads in losses to the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, before losing 109-90 at the Orlando Magic on Friday night. "We should've won some of those," head coach Luke Walton said after the latest loss. "We're obviously disappointed, but we're not going to quit." The Lakers have four scorers in the backcourt with Williams (18.9) Russell (15.1 & 4.6 APG), Clarkson (14.6) and Young (14.3). However, the etam's frontcourt is an issue. Randle (12.8 & 5.6) is the best of the bunch but Deng (8.2 & 5.6) looks washed up, Mozgov (7.9 & 5.1) will never be more than a journeyman and rookie Ingram (7.5 & 4.1) is still learning the ropes.

The pick: The Lakers are an awful defensive team, allowing110.8 PPG (27th) and last beat the Clippers on opening night of the 2013-14 season. The Clippers are 15-1 against the Lakers since the beginning of the 2012-13 season and have won 11 straight in the intra-city series. Expect the Clippers to make 12 straight but the Over is the stronger play (10*s).