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The Portland Trail Blazers are on the road to take on the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night! This game will continue our NBA odds series as we hand out a Trail Blazers-Lakers prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
The Trail Blazers have not been great this year. They are 3-5, and are currently on a two-game losing streak. To make matters worse for them, Malcolm Brogdon, and Scoot Henderson will not be playing in the game. To go along with those two, Anfernee Simons is out for another month, and Robert Williams is done for the season. However, Jerami Grant, and Shaedon Sharpe have been solid for Portland. They average 22.8 points, and 19.9 points, respectively. DeAndre Ayton averages a double-double for Portland, as well.
The Lakers just snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. They are now 4-5, and looking to get back to .500 with a win. LeBron James leads the team with 25.2 points per game, and he also is grabbing 8.4 rebounds. Anthony Davis is second with 23.1 points, and he is also grabbing 11.9 rebounds to lead the team in that category. D'Angelo Russell is also having a very solid season. Anthony Davis is probable in this game, but the LeBron is questionable with a calf contusion.
Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Trail Blazers-Lakers Odds
Portland Trail Blazers: +10 (-114)
Los Angeles Lakers: -10 (-106)
Over: 220 (-110)
Under: 2209 (-110)
How to Watch Trail Blazers vs. Lakers
Time: 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
TV: Root Sports Northwest, Sepctrum SportsNet
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Trail Blazers Could Cover The Spread
The Trail Blazers have a tough matchup. Luckily for them, LeBron is questionable, and it would not be surprising to see him sit this game. That is a huge hit to the Lakers, and will give the Trail Blazers more of a chance to cover the spread. They will need to contain Anthony Davis, but if Portland can do that, and make anybody else beat them, they will cover the spread.
Portland can drop back a little bit on defense. The Lakers shoot just 31.1 percent from three-point range, and they take the fifth-fewest threes in the NBA. Los Angeles does not want to shoot from beyond the arc. Portland still needs to close out, but they do not have to do it as hard as they would against a better shooting team. If the Trail Blazers can play solid defense inside the arc, and in the paint, they will cover the spread.
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
The Trail Blazers are missing a lot of key players heading into this game. Brogdon, Henderson, Williams, and Simons would all get significant minutes if they were active. This means the Blazers are scrambling, and looking for someone to step up. It has not really happened yet, and this all favors the Lakers. Los Angeles should be able to cover the spread based on the fact that they are healthier than the Blazers.
Los Angeles should not have a problem on the defensive end of the court. Portland scores the least amount of points in the NBA, and they are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA. To go along with that, the Trail Blazers turn the ball over the fifth-most in the league. The Lakers need to still play hard on defense, but there is not reason the Lakers should struggle.
Final Trail Blazers-Lakers Prediction & Pick
The Lakers are favorited by 10 points in this game. I can completely understand that with the injuries Portland is facing. The only concerning aspect for me is if LeBron is going to play or not. If he plays, I thnik the Lakers can cover the spread. If he sits, the Lakers are going to have a much harder time to win by 10. I am going to assume LeBron sits this game, and I will pick the Trail Blazers to cover the spread.
Final Trail Blazers-Lakers Prediction & Pick: +10 (-114), Under 220 (-110)
