The Los Angeles Lakers (11-19) clash with the Portland Trail Blazers (16-16) at Staples Center. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23, 2017.
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction
The last time the Trail Blazers played, they were topped by the Denver Nuggets, 102-85. Denver won the rebounding battle. The Nuggets had 16 offensive rebounds and 49 total rebounds, while the Trail Blazers had 10 and 34, respectively. Shabazz Napier played well for Portland, putting up 14 points and five assists.
The Lakers were beaten by the Golden State Warriors in their last matchup, 113-106. Golden State made good use of their 27 trips to the free throw line, making 22 of them (81.5 percent). Los Angeles, meanwhile, was just 15-22 (68.2 percent). Kyle Kuzma put together a solid game for Los Angeles, leading the team in scoring with 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
The ineffective offense of Los Angeles will face off against the elite defense of Portland. The Lakers rank 28th in offensive efficiency, while the Trail Blazers are fourth in defensive efficiency. The Trail Blazers figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Portland holds records of 16-16 straight up (SU) and 14-14-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Trail Blazers’ 31 games with betting action, 22 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 11-19 SU and 15-14 ATS. Contrary to Portland, Lakers games have finished over the O/U total 51.7 percent of the time.
Kuzma and Lonzo Ball have played well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Kuzma has averaged 22.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Ball has recorded 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Damian Lillard scored a game-high 32 points in the first matchup, in which the Trail Blazers beat the Lakers 113-110 but were unable to cover as 5.5-point favorites. He also had six rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 223 points, which was 10.5 points above the projected point total of 212.5 points. Portland had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 6.1). Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.570 vs. 0.517).
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Portland is 10-4-1 ATS on the road with 10 unders and 5 overs.
Los Angeles is 8-6 ATS at home with 8 overs and 6 unders.
Los Angeles is 5-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Portland is 12-4.
The Trail Blazers are 12-7 when they score over 100 points, while the Lakers are 11-12.
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (16.0) while Portland ranks 29th (5.4).
The Lakers rank first in points in the paint per game (53.9) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (40.8).
Los Angeles ranks eighth in assists per game (23.2) while Portland ranks last (18.1).
The Lakers rank third in blocks per game (5.7) while the Trail Blazers rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
Portland ranks eighth in rebounds per game (44.8) while Los Angeles ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
The Lakers rank 10th in steals per game (8.3) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (6.6).
Portland ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while Los Angeles ranks 19th (29.9).
The Trail Blazers rank ninth in second chance points allowed per game (11.5) while the Lakers rank 27th (13.6).
Portland ranks 12th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.8) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (19.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Portland has defeated opponents by an average of 1.3 points.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 112.6 points per game (5.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.8 points per game (5.9 above their season average).
