The Los Angeles Clippers (43-27) play the visiting Portland Trail Blazers (37-35) at the Staples Center. Action gets underway at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 24 and can be seen on PRI and CNW.
The Clippers are hoping for a better outcome after their 114-98 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday. DeAndre Jordan had a good game in defeat for Los Angeles, recording 19 points and 20 rebounds to earn his 43rd double-double of the season. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off a 109-103 win against the Mavericks on Wednesday. Ed Davis stood out for Portland, accumulating 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
Jordan has really been playing well recently for the Clippers, averaging 17.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks over the last five games.
Los Angeles should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank third in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.7%). Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers force the fifth-fewest turnovers in the league (12.7%). The Trail Blazers could also control the offensive glass in this matchup, as they rank fourth in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage at 25.9%. The Clippers, meanwhile, place near the bottom of the league (26th) on the defensive backboards with a defensive rebound percentage of 74.4%.
The Clippers lead the season series against the Trail Blazers two games to one, including a 109-98 victory in their last matchup. Chris Paul finished with 21 points and 19 assists.
The Clippers enter the game with records of 43-27 Straight Up (SU) and 32-36-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 43-27 SU and 32-36-2 ATS against the Western Conference. The Clippers, sporting the third-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.81), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. Los Angeles has been struggling as of late. The Clippers have given up an average of 115.4 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 101.2 PPG.
In the other locker room, the Trail Blazers have a record of 40-32 ATS and 37-35 SU. Most recently, Portland is a meager 2-8 ATS over the last 10 games. Portland is one of the better rebounding teams in the NBA. The Trail Blazers average 45.7 rebounds per game, making them the fifth-best team in the league for that category.
Los Angeles beat Portland in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against the Trail Blazers to 6-4 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAC
Notes
“LA Clippers is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games “.
“LA Clippers is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 14 of LA Clippers’s last 21 games “.
“LA Clippers is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“LA Clippers is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Clippers’s last 9 games at home”.
“LA Clippers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland”.
“LA Clippers is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Portland”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Clippers’s last 6 games when playing Portland”.
“LA Clippers is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Portland”.
Los Angeles puts up an average of 104.5 points per game (ranked seventh). Portland ranks 20th in points allowed per game with 104.1.
On average, Los Angeles scores 104.6 points per home game (ranked 16th). Portland ranks 19th in points allowed per road game with 105.8.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Clippers are a stellar 31-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Portland Trail Blazers have an underachieving record of 4-18.
The Los Angeles Clippers have a subpar 12-24 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Portland Trail Blazers are 33-17 when they hit triple digits.
The Trail Blazers have a defensive rating of 106.3 (ranked 21st). The Clippers rank sixth for their offensive rating of 106.6.
Los Angeles averages fewer possessions per game than Portland, with 98.0 compared to 98.3. However, the Clippers score an average of 1.066 points per possession, more than the 1.064 that the Trail Blazers score.
Los Angeles is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 52.0% (ranked fifth in the NBA). Portland is a losing 8-21 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Los Angeles Clippers make 22.6 assists per game and the Portland Trail Blazers make 21.2. Los Angeles is ranked 12th, while Portland is ranked 20th.
Los Angeles makes an average of 5.6 blocks per game (ranked 10th), while Portland makes 4.4 blocks per game (ranked 21st).
Los Angeles is ranked 29th when it comes to offensive rebounding. Portland ranks eighth in defensive rebounds.
The Clippers record 8.3 steals per game on average (ranked 10th). The Trail Blazers are 15-17 when allowing at least 8 steals.
