The Portland Trail Blazers (46-29) take on the Los Angeles Clippers (41-34) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 30, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219.5 points with Portland set as a 5.5-point favorite.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
The Clippers will be hoping for similar success after defeating the Phoenix Suns in their last game, 111-99. The Clippers held the Suns to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.4 (below the 23.9 mark opponents have averaged against Los Angeles this season). The Suns had a free throw rate of 0.148 (below their season average of 0.206). Los Angeles was led by DeAndre Jordan, who recorded 13 points and 15 rebounds.
In the Trail Blazers’ last matchup, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-103. Memphis’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Portland. The Grizzlies had a rate of 26.8 (above their season average of 22.3), while the Trail Blazers posted a mark of 18.6. CJ McCollum put together a good performance for Portland, leading both teams in scoring with 42 points on 16-for-25 shooting.
Los Angeles could have a difficult time creating turnovers. Portland ranks sixth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.1 percent), while Los Angeles forces the 17th-most turnovers (13.7 percent).
Los Angeles comes into the game with records of 41-34 straight up (SU) and 41-33-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Clippers games, with 39 overs compared to 35 unders.
Meanwhile, Portland is 46-29 SU and 41-27-7 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Trail Blazers are involved, as 42 of their 75 games have gone under the total.
Jusuf Nurkic has averaged 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Portland.
The Trail Blazers lead the season series against the Clippers two games to one, including a 13-point victory in their last matchup. Portland covered as a 2-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 231 points, which was 14 points above the projected point total of 217 points. The Trail Blazers’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Clippers. Portland had a rate of 21.1, while Los Angeles posted a mark of 17.0. Montrezl Harrell was a top player in the game with 24 points and seven rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 24-14-1 ATS on the road with 20 unders and 19 overs.
Portland is 20-14-4 ATS at home with 20 unders and 18 overs.
Portland is 23-5 when they allow below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 13-2.
The Clippers are 39-23 when they reach the century mark, while the Trail Blazers are 41-16.
Los Angeles ranks 10th in fast break points per game (13.3) while Portland ranks last (7.9).
The Trail Blazers rank second in assists allowed per game (20.2) while the Clippers rank 22nd (24.2).
Los Angeles ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.5) while Portland ranks 22nd (42.7).
The Trail Blazers rank seventh in blocks per game (5.2) while the Clippers rank 25th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
Portland ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (17.5).
The Trail Blazers rank ninth in steals allowed per game (7.3) while the Clippers rank 25th (8.5).
Portland averages 13.5 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
The Trail Blazers average 45.3 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Clippers rank 17th in rebounds allowed per game (43.7).
Portland ranks 19th in three pointers attempted per game (27.9) while Los Angeles ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Portland is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 1.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (3.9 above their season average).
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