- Matchup: Los Angeles Clippers vs Los Angeles Lakers
- Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
- Venue: crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcasting: ESPN
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This Friday, the Los Angeles Clippers (26-28) are heading to crypto.com Arena to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers (33-21).
In their most recent outing, the Clippers secured a narrow 105-102 victory over the Rockets. They finished with an impressive 46.8% shooting rate (36 of 77) and sank 11 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc. Their free throw performance was stellar, hitting 22 of 26 for an 84.6% success rate. The squad grabbed a total of 32 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards, and assisted on 21 baskets, while forcing 21 turnovers and tallying 13 steals. On the defensive end, the Clippers allowed the Rockets to shoot 46.3% from the field, hitting 38 of their 82 attempts. Houston managed to dish out 25 assists and recorded 3 steals, gathering a total of 45 rebounds, with 13 coming offensively, while also achieving 7 blocked shots. Houston concluded with a 77.8% efficiency from the free throw line, making 14 of 18, while successfully converting 12 of 36 from three-point range. The Clippers committed 15 fouls in comparison to the Rockets’ 17.
Kawhi Leonard will be a key player in this matchup. He recorded 27 points on 9 of 20 shooting, achieving a 45.0% field goal rate while also contributing 4 assists and grabbing 12 rebounds in 33 minutes of play.
The Clippers enter this matchup with a 26-28 record this season. They average 15.1 turnovers and commit 18.7 fouls per game. On the boards, they collect 40.6 rebounds per contest and have accumulated 1,270 assists this season, ranking 30th in the league in assists per game. Los Angeles has a 3-point shooting percentage of 36.5% (684 of 1,872) and an 83.2% free throw rate. They score an average of 111.9 points per game, ranking 26th in the NBA, and shoot 47.8% overall from the field.
Defensively, the Clippers force 13.6 turnovers per game while averaging 19.7 personal fouls. They concede a shooting percentage of 36.7% from long range and rank 9th in opponents’ points per game allowed (112.3). Overall, Los Angeles has given up a shooting percentage of 46.6% (2,203 of 4,732) and allowed 42.0 rebounds per game, ranking 9th in assists surrendered with a total of 1,399.
In their previous game, the Lakers enjoyed a dominant 124-104 win against the Mavericks. They achieved 34 defensive rebounds and had 10 offensive boards for a total of 44. Los Angeles turned the ball over 13 times while securing 8 steals. The Mavericks were assessed 18 fouls, leading to the Lakers getting 21 free throw attempts, converting 18 for an 85.7% rate. From beyond the arc, the Lakers hit 10 of 31 shots (32.3%), and shot 55.8% from the field (48 of 86). Defensively, the Lakers allowed the Mavericks to shoot 49.4% (39 of 79) and limited them to a 26.9% success rate from three-point territory (7 of 26), while giving up 28 total rebounds (4 offensive).
LeBron James was instrumental for the Lakers in this game, scoring 28 points in 35 minutes, alongside 12 assists and 10 rebounds, shooting 10 of 20 for a 50.0% field goal efficiency.
Currently, the Lakers hold a record of 33-21 this season. They average 18.9 personal fouls per game and convert 76.9% of their free throw attempts. The team averages 25.3 assists per game (20th in the league) and turns the ball over an average of 15.1 times. Los Angeles has tallied 6,265 points this year, averaging 116.0 points per game, and they secure 41.1 rebounds per game. Offensively, they’re ranked 1st in the league, shooting 50.0% from the field.
Defensively, the Lakers allow opponents to achieve 36.4% from three-point range (726 of 1,992) and surrender 78.6% at the free throw line. They give up an average of 27.5 assists and 40.6 total rebounds per game, ranking them 24th and 3rd in the NBA, respectively. On defense, Los Angeles is 18th in the league for points allowed per game, also averaging 116.0. They force 14.6 turnovers per game and permit teams to shoot 48.6% from the field, placing them 27th overall.
Who will claim victory in tonight’s NBA game against the spread?
Prediction: Back Los Angeles
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