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The Portland Trail Blazers and the LA Lakers will lock horns on Monday at the Crypto.com Arena. Both teams will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Trail Blazers enter this clash following a 114-107 loss to the LA Clippers on Sunday, dropping to 1-2.
Meanwhile, the Lakers improved to 2-1 after beating the Sacramento Kings 127-120 at the Golden 1 Center.
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Portland Trail Blazers vs. LA Lakers Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction
Money line: Trail Blazers -142, Lakers +120
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Spread: Trail Blazers -2.5 (-109), Lakers +2.5 (-112)
Total over/under (o/u): Trail Blazers o224.5 (-115), Lakers u224.5 (-110)
*Editor's note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip off.*
Portland Trail Blazers vs. LA Lakers Preview
Despite a losing record, the Trail Blazers have impressed many with their defensive identity in the first three games. Anthony Edwards, Steve Kerr and James Harden have all given them their flowers for what they have built under coach Chauncey Billups over the past few seasons.
The Trail Blazers are seventh defensively with a 110.7 rating after three games. They have the third-highest deflection rate (27.7), the best loose ball recovery rate (9.7), the most steals 11.7 and the highest opposition turnover rate (22.7).
On Sunday, it could come in handy for them against a shorthanded Lakers roster sans Luka Doncic and LeBron James. LA is also without Gabe Vincent, leaving Austin Reaves as the lone primary ball-handler and playmaker.
On the other hand, LA has been one of the best offensive teams. After three outings, the Lakers have the third-best offense, with a rating of 120.5. LA also has a terrific ability to get to the line, with 35.3 attempts per contest. Their paint penetration helped them to this point.
The Lakers managed that without Doncic and James on Sunday, thanks to Reaves, who had a career-high 51 points. However, the Kings' defense is no match for the Trail Blazers, who can bother the Lakers for 48 minutes with their high-ball pressure.
It will be a classic contest of offense vs. defense, and the team that executes on its strengths better will come out on top.
Portland will be without Damian Lillard (Achilles), Robert Williams III (knee) and Scoot Henderson, while Luka Doncic (leg and finger), LeBron James (sciatica), Maxi Kleber (oblique) and Gabe Vincent (knee) are out for LA. Jaxson Hayes is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. LA Lakers Predicted Starting 5s
Portland Trail Blazers starting 5
PG - Jrue Holiday, SG - Shaedon Sharpe, SF - Toumani Camara, PF - Deni Avdija, C - Donovan Clingan
LA Lakers starting 5
PG - Austin Reaves, SG - Marcus Smart, SF - Jake LaRavia, PF - Rui Hachimura, C - Deandre Ayton
Portland Trail Blazers vs. LA Lakers Betting Tips
Austin Reaves is favored to score over 27.5 points after his 51-point night against Sacramento. He is averaging 34.0 ppg in three games.
Deni Avidja is projected to score over 19.5 points. He's scoring 23.0 ppg in three games.
Deandre Ayton is favored to grab over 10.5 rebounds against his former team. He is coming off a 15-rebound game in Luka Doncic's absence.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. LA Lakers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are slightly favored to beat the Lakers with oddsmakers placing them at -142 with a -2.5-point spread. LA's severely shorthanded on the second night of a back-to-back, and that could make a difference.
Portland will likely win the game by five points or fewer.
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About the author
Edited by Arhaan Raje
English (US)