The Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers get their seasons going at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 18, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220 points with Portland set as a 1-point favorite.
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
Last season, Portland went 49-33 in the regular season, which earned them the three seed in the Western Conference. They were defeated in the First Round by the New Orleans Pelicans in four games. Los Angeles, meanwhile, did not make the playoffs following a 35-47 regular season.
The offense of Los Angeles will battle against the elite defense of Portland. In the 2017-18 season, the Lakers ranked 24th in offensive efficiency, while the Trail Blazers were ninth in defensive efficiency. The Trail Blazers should have the edge on that end of the court.
Last season, the Lakers had records of 35-47 straight up (SU) and 37-43-2 against the spread (ATS). Of Los Angeles’ 82 games that accepted bets last season, 43 finished over the O/U total.
The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, were 49-33 SU and 41-45 ATS last season. Coinciding with Los Angeles, Portland games had a tendency to finish over the O/U total (54.7 percent).
The Trail Blazers won all three games against the Lakers last season. In the last matchup, Portland won 108-103. The Trail Blazers knocked down 28 of their 38 free throws (73.7 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (14.9 vs. 14.0).
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
When holding opponents under 100 points, Los Angeles is 13-5 and Portland is 26-8.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Trail Blazers are 44-21 and the Lakers are 32-29.
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.5) while Portland ranks last (8.6).
The Trail Blazers rank sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.7) while the Lakers rank last (49.0).
Los Angeles ranks seventh in assists per game (23.8) while Portland ranks last (19.5).
The Trail Blazers rank sixth in second chance points per game (13.6) while the Lakers rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
Portland ranks eighth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (18.3).
The Trail Blazers average 45.4 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Lakers rank 24th in rebounds allowed per game (44.8).
Portland averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
The Trail Blazers rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.5) while the Lakers rank 18th (30.1).
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