The Los Angeles Lakers (7-6) will have their hands full against the league’s top shooting defense when they challenge the Portland Trail Blazers (10-3) at Staples Center. The game can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.
Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 227 points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Prediction
The Trail Blazers will be hoping for similar success after covering the 2-point spread against the Boston Celtics in their last contest, 100-94. The game’s total points (194) were well under the O/U total of 214. The Trail Blazers, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5, had an extraordinary mark of 32.6 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.535 (above their season average of 0.528). Jusuf Nurkic had a good outing for Portland, contributing 18 points and 17 rebounds.
In the Lakers’ last game, they won a close one over the Atlanta Hawks, 107-106, but failed to cover as 11-point favorites. The game’s total points (213) were well under the projected point total of 236.5. Los Angeles’ 0.163 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Atlanta, who had a rate of 0.116. The Lakers’ mark was above their season average of 0.162, while the Hawks’ was below their season average of 0.213. LeBron James was the game’s top scorer with 26 points on 10-for-20 shooting from the field.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a matchup of two heavyweights. The sharp-shooting Los Angeles offense ranks fourth in the league in that metric at 0.539, while the stingy Portland defense is ranked first in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.483). Also, the Trail Blazers, who rank fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (27.0 percent), will try to take advantage of the Lakers, who rank 26th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.9 percent).
Portland comes into the game with records of 10-3 straight up (SU) and 10-3 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Trail Blazers’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 7-6 SU and 4-9 ATS. Coinciding with Portland, games involving the Lakers have gone under the total 53.8 percent of the time.
Nurkic and CJ McCollum have played at a high level over the last five games for Portland. Nurkic has averaged 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, McCollum has put up 23.4 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals a game during that span.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Lakers won the most recent matchup 114-110, covering as 4-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 224 points, which was 12 points below the projected point total of 236 points. Los Angeles had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.570 vs. 0.452). Portland, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (11.0 vs. 17.1). Damian Lillard scored a game-high 30 points.
Trail Blazers at Lakers Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Portland is 3-1 ATS on the road with 2 overs and 2 unders.
At home, Los Angeles is 1-6 ATS with 4 unders and 3 overs.
Los Angeles is 1-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Portland is 4-0.
The Lakers are 7-6 when they reach 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 10-3.
Los Angeles ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (20.7) while Portland ranks 28th (13.5).
The Lakers rank fifth in assists per game (26.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 27th (20.4).
Los Angeles ranks fourth in steals per game (9.1) while Portland ranks 25th (5.8).
The Trail Blazers rank first in rebounds per game (52.2) while the Lakers rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (47.4).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (22.2) while Portland ranks 22nd (11.2).
The Lakers rank fifth in blocks per game (6.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 21st (4.7).
Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (58.3) while Portland ranks 17th (45.5).
The Trail Blazers rank 11th in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Lakers rank 19th in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
Portland averages 32.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 14th in three pointers allowed per game (31.3).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Portland is 4-1 ATS with 5 unders.
Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders over its last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.6, up from 9.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (7.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (8.9 below their season average).
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