The Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers meet Friday in NBA action at the Moda Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Clippers vs Trail Blazers prediction.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after routing the lowly Trail Blazers in a 116-103 road win on Wednesday. Paul George led the team with 27 points, six rebounds and four assists on 10 of 18 shooting, Kawhi Leonard led the team with 24 points on nine of 16 shooting while James Harden tallied 19 points with 14 assists. As a team, the Clippers shot 52 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they held the Trail Blazers to just 22 points in the second quarter to take the early lead, before they dominated the third quarter by 34-20 to push the lead out to 27 points. The Clippers will face the 76ers and Pacers after this game.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in a major slump as they’ve lost eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after getting routed by the Clippers in a loss on Wednesday. Scoot Henderson led the team with 18 points and five assists, Keegan Murray added 17 points on seven of 11 shooting while Anfernee Simons chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 48 percent from the field and 15 of 34 from the 3-point line, but they were never really a threat in this one after they fell behind by double digits early.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Facts
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 17 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last six home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Team Facts
- The Clippers have won each of their last nine road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- Each of the Clippers’ last five games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Clippers vs Trail Blazers prediction
The Clippers could be shorthanded again with Norman Powell and Terance Mann both listed as questionable, while the Trail Blazers are still missing Jerami Grant and they have Matisse Thybulle listed as questionable. The Clippers have been well below their best lately, but the regular season is coming to an end and I expect them to start ramping up towards the playoffs, starting with a much-needed win and cover against this slumping Trail Blazers squad with nothing to play for.