Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview Dec 31
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Predictions
WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers betting preview for Friday, December 31. At the time of posting, the Lakers are holding steady as a 5.5-point home favorite over the visiting Trail Blazers, with the total sitting at 227 points.
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| Fri, Dec 31 | NBA Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 vs Portland Trail Blazers |
| Total: | 227 Points |
| Game Time: | 10:40pm ET / 7:40pm PT |
| Arena: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Analysis
Two struggling teams face off on New Years Eve in LA as the Trailb Bazers come to town, and this game might come down to who is just less bad tonight. Portland has lost 10 of 12, and the Lakers have lost 6 of 7, so don’t expect a basketball clinic tonight, however we will try and cash a ticket as these two struggling teams face off with the Lakers being a 5.5-point home favorite and the total set at 227 points.
The Lakers’ struggles are well documented with the turnovers with Westbrook, and AD’s absence, but what you can’t find on the stat sheet is just how worn down they can get over the course of a game as Lebron and Westbrook have to do so much to keep them in games, and we saw it against Memphis. Lebron played lights out to keep them in the game, but they fell apart down the stretch and lost by 5.
The Lakers’ only win in the last two weeks is against the Rockets, and they are tied for 3rd worst ATS record this season, but the books seem to be adjusting as the Lakers are 5-4-1 ATS their last 10, however they’ve been way worse at home as they are 6-14 ATS this season at Crypto.com Arena and 0-3 their last three.
I made the case that Nurkic being out was devastating for Portland, and I feel I’ve been proven right as they’ve gotten blown out by Dallas and Utah the last two games, but those teams feature centers who can score and with AD out, the advantage isn’t quite there to take advantage of the matchup.
I’ll be focusing on the last two games to handicap this game and what I see is no defense for Portland, and Lillard carrying the load. He’s had over 30 points in four of the last five games and this is a dream matchup against a terrible Lakers perimeter.
I don’t like betting the spread on either of these two teams, but I will sprinkle a bit on the over. Portland has given up 120, and 132 the two games without Nurkic, and the Lakers have given up 104 or more to opponents in 8 straight games. Lillard should thrive against a bad perimeter Lakers defense, and the paint will be wide open for the Lakers tonight.
OFFICIAL PLAY: Over 227 Points
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Free Play Video coming later…We have a 4% bet in the afternoon Pacers-Bulls game available…only $12. Grab it here if you’re interested in some NBA Afternoon Action: https://t.co/Xv2JkKSGRY
— Andy Lang (@BumpSports) December 31, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview from GoldSheet
With half of Portland’s team (maybe more than half), including starters CJ McCollum, C Jusuf Nurkic and F Robert Covington, must consider the Lakers the healthier of the two options, with Russell Westbrook and LeBron James (fresh off his birthday celebration last night) fighting to salvage the season. Portland has won 3 of last 4 against the Lakers, and LA is in a revenge position after losing first encounter this season 105-90 at Portland on Nov. 6, when LA was without James and lost Anthony Davis to an injury after he played just 7 minutes.
Covington, Nurkic and McCollum all played in that game (Nurkic had 15 pts. and 17 rebs.), while ex-Blazer Carmelo Anthony made just 4 of 14 shots against his old affiliation. With a healthy James and Westbrook joined by Malik Monk (20 ppg, 58% FGs last 3 Gs), Lakers have more firepower. The “under” has taken last 4 straight and 7 of last 9 when these two meet.
NBA Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his NBA Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Friday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers contest.
NBA Tip-Off Show
Join Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of guests for the NBA Tip-Off Show at 4:15pm ET / 1:15pm PT as we discuss tonight’s marquee games. Stay up-to-date on the latest NBA news, stats, analysis, and predictions with our panel of professional handicappers as they preview tonight’s NBA action, including this Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers clash, from a betting perspective.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the NBA point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Friday’s NBA games, including this Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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