Portland Trail Blazers (11-21) vs. LA Lakers (18-14)
January 2, 2025 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -9.5; Over/Under: +225.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Portland Trail Blazers pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers at the crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Here’s an LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Pick.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in a slump as they’ve lost nine of their last 12 games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting routed by the 76ers in a 125-103 loss on Monday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 25 points on nine of 18 shooting, Deni Avdija added 17 points while Deandre Ayton and Shaedon Sharpe scored 12 points each. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 48 percent from the field and eight of 36 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the 76ers until the third quarter. The Trail Blazers managed just 18 points to allow the 76ers to start to pull away. Scoot Henderson had a quiet game as he scored just six points off the bench, while Deni Avdija committed a total of 10 turnovers for the game. The Trail Blazers will take on the Bucks after this game.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in pretty good form lately as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back after falling short against the surging Cavaliers in a 122-110 loss on Tuesday. Austin Reaves led the team with 35 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, Anthony Davis added 28 points with 13 rebounds and four assists while LeBron James tallied 23 points and seven assists on nine of 17 shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot 44 percent from the field and just nine of 35 from the 3-point line which aren’t great numbers, but the Lakers’ real problems were on the defensive end as they just had no answer for the Cavaliers the entire night.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 13 night games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have won each of their last seven night games against the Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 13 night games at Crypto.com Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Lakers’ last six games against Northwest Division opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last four games has gone OVER the total points line.
LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still missing Jerami Grant and Dalano Banton, while the Lakers are still without Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Trail Blazers have struggled all season, but things got tougher for them once Grant and Banton went down with injuries, so it’s no surprise that they are big underdogs on the road. The Lakers are coming into this one fresh off a tough loss. The Lakers were really in a groove before that defeat and I think they can get back on track with an easy win and cover against this depleted Trail Blazers squad.
