It’s Round 3 of the battle for LA, and it’s more intriguing than ever as both teams are on a red-hot streak. With the Clippers winning the two previous meetings, though, it’s clear that the Lakers are under heavy pressure to answer back.

HOME TEAM: LA Clippers (43-19, 25-6 at home)

The Clippers have been consistently dismantling opponents in the past two weeks. They are winners of six-straight games while scoring 120.3 points per game and winning by an average of 17 points.

The interesting thing is that the domination isn’t because Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, or any Clipper is having a crazy run. All are still posting their usual numbers while the group’s chemistry has kicked up a notch. The addition of Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson, who are helping ease the load off the primary scorers, are looking good as well.

Kawhi is averaging 32.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 55.3% shooting in two match-ups with the Lakers this season, and he’ll be ready to produce as such tomorrow. George, meanwhile, will look to be more efficient as he had 17 quiet points on 5-for-18 shooting during the Christmas Day battle.

Montrezl Harrell is again in an interesting clash down low. He has held his own against Anthony Davis and the Laker bigs as he is putting up 17.5 points while making 65.2% of his shots.

ROAD TEAM: Los Angeles Lakers (48-13, 25-6 on the road)

The Lakers are also on a roll as they come in having won 10 of their last 11 games. On Saturday, they snagged a signature victory by defeating the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, 113-103. The current surge is generating the momentum they need as they try to finally get a win over the Clippers.

“Playoff LeBron” is a phrase getting thrown out a lot lately as LeBron James raised his play in the last couple of weeks. The King, at age 35, is dropping 30.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 10.1 assists on 56% shooting in his last eight outings – he also has 1.8 steals per game in his last four.

Co-superstar Anthony Davis is consistently right alongside James. In that same span, AD is lording over the paint for 27.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per contest – he’s had at least two swats in each of those eight games.

Davis, James, and Kyle Kuzma are all averaging over 20 points against the Clipps this season, and we should see all three produce as such. To finally solve the Clippers puzzle, though, the rest of the supporting cast will have to produce better, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the only other Laker to score in double digits in the two meetings.

PREDICTION:

Both squads know who’s ahead in the mental aspect of the game. The Clippers have the Lakers’ number (at least for now) because they have won in a one-sided and hard-fought battle. I think that will somehow affect as to how the Lakers will approach the game, especially when it’s on the line and Clippers are making their run.

I expect the Clipps to win again, 115-112.