The Portland Trail Blazers travel to the crypto.com Arena to battle the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Here’s an LA Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include an LA Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Pick.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been doing it tough as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting beaten by the Mavericks in a 137-131 home loss on Sunday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 27 points and five assists on nine of 11 shooting, Shaedon Sharpe added 22 points, Deni Avdija scored 21 points off the bench, while Tounami Camara chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot a sizzling 58 percent from the field and 18 of 31 from the 3-point line, but they still couldn’t get past the Mavericks despite scoring 73 points in the second half. The Trail Blazers shot sensational numbers from the field but they committed a total of 21 turnovers which was the difference in a close contest.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been in great form as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall and they will be eager to maintain that momentum after sneaking past the Nuggets in a 126-122 home win on Sunday. James Harden led the team with 39 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, Norman Powell added 28 points on nine of 17 shooting while Terance Mann chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot 47 percent from the field and 18 of 39 from the 3-point line as they squandered an early 11-point lead in the first half, but they stayed composed and pulled away late in the fourth quarter to improve to 8-4 at home this season.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost 18 of their last 19 road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Clippers have won each of their last eight games at Intuit Dome.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games following a home win.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Clippers’ last six games against the Trail Blazers following a home win has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last four games against Pacific Division opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Ivica Zubac ranks 3rd in the league for points in the paint (294) this season.
- James Harden ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assists per game (8.9) this season.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Anfernee Simons ranks 4th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.2%) this season.
- Deandre Ayton ranks 8th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (55.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (25.0).
- The Clippers rank 1st in the league for H1 opponent points per game this season (52.3).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.3).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (23.4).
LA Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still keeping an eye on Scoot Henderson who is questionable, while the Clippers are still missing Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Porter Jr. The Clippers were always going to be big favorites at home, but I think the Trail Blazers looked decent in their last outing and they should be able to keep this one close if they start strong.