25 Dec 10 Los Angeles Lakers Favored Big Over Los Angeles Clippers Tonight

Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Lakers will open their seven-game road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. With both teams playing at the Staples Center, it may look like an away game for the Lakers, but it certainly won't feel like one. The current NBA odds have the Lakers favored by eight points over the Clippers with the over/under sitting at 206.The Lakers have now won two straight since losing four in a row and could be primed to go on another big run. With the return of Andrew Bynum to the lineup, Pau Gasol Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
and Lamar Odom will not have to continue playing long minutes, which will be beneficial as they have looked a little worn out early in the season. Gasol, who is averaging just under 15 points over the last five games, surprisingly looked fresh in the Lakers' win over the Wizards last night, scoring 21 points to go along with 14 rebounds, eight assists, and five blocks.Kobe Bryant went for 32 points on 12-23 shooting last night against the Wizards. It was his best shooting performance since Nov. 17th when he went 11 of 20 against the Suns. However, he was just 1-6 from three-point range and has really struggled from downtown lately, only making two of his last 15 attempts.Tonight will mark the first game for the Lakers against Blake Griffin, who has really been outstanding to start the Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
2010 season. Griffin has been a highlight waiting to happen, averaging 25.6 points and 13.6 rebounds so far. He will face a tough challenge, however, going up against the sizeof the Lakers.The Clippers will be a little light on the depth chart tonight, as center Chris Kaman re-injured his ankle, Brian Cook is serving the second game of his suspension, and Baron Davis is a game-time decision. The Clippers beat the Spurs at home last Wednesday without Kaman and with little help from Cook and Davis, but are going to need a monster game from Griffin and Eric Gordon to take down the Lakers at less than full strength, especially with all the size the Lakers have down low.I think the tempo of this game will decide who wins. I believe the Clippers have to play at a fast pace to win this game. The Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
Lakers are a bit of an older team and don't always handle playing well on back-to-back nights, but if they can slow the game down and avoid getting into a shootout, I think they will easily take home the win.Can't decide who to take against the spread? Check out what our experts have to say in their highly rated NBA picks.