The Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Moda Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Here’s a Trail Blazers vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Trail Blazers vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after getting trounced by the Hornets in a 135-117 loss on Thursday. Luka Doncic led the team with 39 points on 15 of 26 shooting, LeBron James added 29 points with nine rebounds and six assists on 10 of 19 shooting while Jake LaRavia chipped in with 18 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 46 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start with 39 points in the first quarter to take a 13-point lead. However, it didn’t last long at all as the Lakers were already trailing by halftime after getting outscored by 34-16 in the second quarter.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be looking to stay hot after blowing past the Hawks in a 117-101 win on Thursday. Shaedon Sharpe led the team with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Jerami Grant added 16 points off the bench while Jrue Holiday and Caleb Love each scored 12 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 33 points in the first quarter. However, this was a close contest that could’ve gone either way until the Trail Blazers dominated the fourth quarter by 29-14 to make it look easy in the end.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Trail Blazers have won each of their last five night games at Moda Center.
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Lakers and Trail Blazers.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last four games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Trail Blazers have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six games against the Trail Blazers following a loss.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Trail Blazers’ last eight night games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last five games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan ranks T2nd in the league for second chance points (151) this season.
- Shaedon Sharpe ranks 5th amongst qualified players for fast break points per game (4.0) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Marcus Smart is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- LeBron James is one of only 16 players in the league to have recorded 10+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.7).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.3).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (66.7%).
Trail Blazers vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers have ruled out Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic with Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes both listed as questionable. The Trail Blazers will again be without Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle and Deni Avdija with Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday both listed as questionable. This is definitely one of those games where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over both rosters. With that being said, the Lakers still have enough firepower to get the job done, but the Trail Blazers have quietly been one of the hottest teams in the league lately. I think they get the win and cover at home in this spot.