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The Los Angeles Lakers will play the 2nd game of a back t0 back tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers.  It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Blazers-Lakers prediction and pick.
The Lakers currently hold a record of 2-1 and are coming off consecutive blowout victories. The Blazers stand at 1-1, getting their first win two days ago in an overtime thriller over the Houston Rockets.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Blazers Lakers odds.
NBA Odds: Blazers vs. Lakers Odds
Los Angeles Lakers -3.5 (-115)
Portland Trail Blazers +3.5 (-105)
Over 227.5 Points (-110)
Under 227.5 Points (-110)
Why The Lakers Could Cover The Spread
After losing their opening day game against the Clippers, the Lakers have left a trail of destruction. The Purple & Gold have won their last two matchups by a combined 59 points. Both games were over by the start of the fourth quarter.
Even more impressively, the Lakers haven't made their stars shoulder the brunt of the load in their two wins.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis played only 31 and 30 minutes respectively on Christmas. Kyle Kuzma was the leading scorer against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 20 points while Anthony Davis sat out due to a calf strain.
The biggest factor for the Lakers tonight is James' availability. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a nagging ankle injury, while Davis will play.
Even without James, the Lakers can still triumph over the Blazers. The team depth has been eye-opening, with Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and the rest of the Lakers bench playing up to expectations.
The Lakers offense is a machine right now, averaging just under 125 points per game. This is a nightmare matchup for a porous Blazers defense that has allowed 124 points per game.
Given Blazers squad was blown out by the Utah Jazz and barely beat a John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins-less Rockets, this looks like a good spot to lay the chalk for the champs.
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Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread
The Blazers rebounded from the beating they took on opening night with a nail-biting OT win on Saturday.
CJ McCollum torched Houston with a career high nine three-pointers while dropping 44 points on the Beard and company.
What's most alarming to the Blazers faithful is Damian Lillard's poor start. Lillard had 32 points against Houston, but he missed a few shots that usually makes, finishing with a paltry 11-28 from the floor.
Against the Jazz, Lillard was even worse, shooting 4-12 while only tallying nine points.
Dame has been ice cold. But one thing we know about Damian Lillard is that he loves the spotlight. What better time for Dame Time than a rematch with the team that ousted the Blazers in last year's playoffs?
Lillard is too good of a player to go through extended cold stretches. Expect him to ratchet it up a notch in Los Angeles tonight and test the Lakers' defense all night.
If Lillard can get back on track, the Blazers can jump on a Lakers team playing the second game of a back-to-back. If Los Angeles starts to show weary legs, the Blazers could steal one in Staples.
Final Blazers-Lakers Prediction & Pick
Damian Lillard is due for a big game, but this Blazers defense has been atrocious to start the season. This team is not stopping a Lakers offense that has been firing on all cylinders. The best hope they have is to keep up in a shootout, but without Carmelo Anthony, a huge load is on McCollum and Lillard's shoulders. I can't back a Blazers team on the road for the first time against the reigning champs.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: LAL 124, POR 108
