The Portland Trail Blazers visit the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. The game starts at 10:30 pm ET on Friday, Apr. 3 and will air on ESPN, CSN-NW and TWC SN.
The Lakers lost big to the Pelicans 113-92 on Wednesday. Jordan Clarkson put in a solid effort despite the loss for Los Angeles, recording 18 points and 10 assists to earn his second double-double of the season. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off a 126-122 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. Nicolas Batum recorded 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Over the last five games, Clarkson has really been playing well for the Lakers. During that stretch, he has averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Los Angeles should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9%). Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers force the second-fewest turnovers in the league (12.0%). Furthermore, the defense of the Trail Blazers should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.6%), while the offense of the Lakers ranks 26th in effective field goal percentage (47.4%).
The Trail Blazers have won all three matchups against the Lakers this season, including a 102-86 victory in their last matchup. Wesley Matthews was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Lakers look to improve upon their records of 20-54 Straight Up (SU) and 36-35-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 8-36 SU and 19-23-2 ATS versus the Western Conference.
Across the court, Portland has a SU record of 48-26 and an ATS record of 37-36-1. Portland has been particularly bad ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 3-7. Portland is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the league, converting 10.0 shots from three-point range per game. Portland’s three-point defense has set the standard for the league, with opponents making a league-low 472 shots from the three-point line (6.4 per game). The Trail Blazers have established a reputation of cleaning up the defensive glass with an NBA-best 35.1 defensive rebounds per game.
Following the Trail Blazers’ latest win over Los Angeles, their SU record rises to 6-4 over the Lakers in the last 10 games. Additionally, the Trail Blazers lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Portland topped the Lakers in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) twice over the last 10. Los Angeles has had the edge in all categories once.
Predictions: SU Winner – POR, ATS Winner – POR
Notes
On average, Portland scores 102.9 points per game (ranked ninth). Los Angeles ranks 28th in points allowed per game with 104.8.
Portland puts up an average of 101.8 points per away game (ranked eighth). Los Angeles ranks 28th in points allowed per home game with 102.8.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a 12-14 record when their opponents score fewer than 100 points. The Portland Trail Blazers have a 12-16 record when failing to hit triple digits.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a subpar 8-40 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Portland Trail Blazers are 36-10 when they hit triple digits.
The Lakers have an offensive rating of 100.9 (ranked 22nd). The Trail Blazers rank eighth for their defensive rating of 100.8.
The Los Angeles Lakers average 97.9 possessions per game and 1.009 points per possession, while the Portland Trail Blazers earn fewer possessions (97.6) but more points per possession (1.054).
Portland has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.8% (ranked eighth in the league}. Los Angeles is an abysmal 4-35 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Portland Trail Blazers make 22.0 assists per game and the Los Angeles Lakers make 20.9. Portland is ranked 11th, while Los Angeles is ranked 20th.
Los Angeles makes an average of 4.6 blocks per game (ranked 18th). Portland ranks higher in blocks with 4.6 (ranked 16th).
The Lakers rank ninth in offensive rebounds, and the Trail Blazers rank first in the league in defensive rebounds.
On average, Los Angeles makes 7.3 steals per game. Portland has a winning 29-19 record when it gives up at least 7 steals.
