The Portland Trail Blazers (43-26) look to lengthen their 12-game winning streak against the Los Angeles Clippers (37-31) at Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 18, 2018, and will air on NBATV.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220.5 points with Los Angeles set as a 1-point favorite.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Prediction
The last time the Trail Blazers played, they beat the Detroit Pistons, 100-87. The Trail Blazers held the Pistons to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 22.9) and had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 12.1). With 24 points on 6-for-19 shooting, Damian Lillard was the game’s leading scorer.
The Clippers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last game, 121-113. Oklahoma City’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Los Angeles. The Thunder had a rate of 11.9 (better than their season average of 12.1), while the Clippers posted a mark of 17.9 (above their season average of 12.7). With 11 points and 21 rebounds, Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan had a good performance.
Contrasting paces will be on display in this showdown. Los Angeles has preferred a fast-breaking style of play (eighth in possessions per game), while Portland has been more half-court-oriented (19th in possessions per game).
Portland holds records of 43-26 straight up (SU) and 37-25-6 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 68 games with betting action, 39 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 37-31 SU and 37-30-1 ATS. Contrary to Portland, a little over half of Clippers games have finished over the projected point total.
A number of players have been playing well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Averaging 19.4 rebounds, 15.2 points and 1.2 blocks per game, Jordan has led the way. Tobias Harris (23.6 points and 7.6 rebounds) and Austin Rivers (13.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals) have also been excellent.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Trail Blazers won the most recent matchup 104-96, covering as 3-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 200 points, which was 21.5 points below the projected point total of 221.5 points. Portland had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.5 vs. 18.0). Los Angeles, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of making free throws (20-26; 76.9 percent). Lillard was the game’s top overall scorer with 28 points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 18-12-3 ATS with 20 unders and 13 overs.
Los Angeles is 16-18 ATS at home with 19 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
When allowing under 100 points, Los Angeles is 11-2 and Portland is 23-5.
The Clippers are 35-20 when they score more than 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 38-13.
Los Angeles ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.3) while Portland ranks 24th (42.0).
The Trail Blazers rank ninth in fast break points allowed per game (11.0) while the Clippers rank last (15.2).
Portland ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.1) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (24.2).
The Trail Blazers average 45.4 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. The Clippers rank 21st in rebounds allowed per game (43.9).
Portland ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.1) while Los Angeles ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
The Trail Blazers rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.8) while the Clippers rank 20th (17.3).
Portland averages 13.2 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 25th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
The Clippers rank 15th in steals per game (7.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (6.8).
Portland averages 27.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 20th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.6, up from 2.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 110.0 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
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