Lakers-Trail Blazers is the most important game on Friday’s busy NBA schedule because it could determine which team finishes sixth in the Western Conference standings and which finishes seventh and is forced into the play-in tournament.
LeBron James is not expected to play Friday in the second of a back-to-back for the Los Angeles Lakers as they visit the Portland Trail Blazers, who opened as 7-point favourites on the NBA odds.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Lakers-Trail Blazers is the most important game on Friday’s busy NBA schedule because it could determine which team finishes sixth in the Western Conference standings and which finishes seventh and is forced into the play-in tournament.
These clubs are tied with the same 37-29 records in the sixth and seventh spots. They have split the first two meetings, so Friday’s winner holds a massive tiebreaker. Portland will welcome back fans to the Moda Center for the first time this season, but only at 10 per cent capacity – about 1,900 fans.
LeBron James is averaging 28.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in two games vs. Portland this season but is not expected to play Friday after also sitting Thursday with a sprained right ankle (needless to say, this spread would shrink if James did play). L.A. has to get LeBron healthy before the postseason, even if it means sliding into the play-in tournament. Dennis Schroder is averaging 23.0 points in the two games for Los Angeles, but he’s sidelined in COVID protocols.
Damian Lillard leads the Blazers in averaging 33.0 points in the two games vs. the Lakers, while Gary Trent Jr. averaged 23.5 points in the two, but of course is now with the Raptors.
The past 10 in this series have been split straight up, while the Lakers are 6-4 against the spread.
Los Angeles Lakers
Without LeBron James, the Lakers were no match for the Clippers on Thursday, losing 118-94. The Lakers were down 23 at halftime, their largest halftime deficit since February 2019. More potential bad news: Fellow star Anthony Davis suffered both a right ankle injury and back spasms and played just nine minutes, but says he plans to play here. The team might not let him though, and no Davis would push this spread higher. Kyle Kuzma was a bright spot Thursday with 25 points. No other starter had more than nine points. The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their past six in the second of a back-to-back.
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has followed a five-game losing streak by winning five of six. They completed a six-game road trip on Wednesday by destroying the Cavaliers 141-105 in Cleveland. It was the Blazers’ highest point total of the season and came without former Raptor Norman Powell, who missed his first game (knee injury) since joining Portland in a March 25 trade with Toronto. Powell listed as probable for this one. Damian Lillard had 32 points (30th 30-point game of the season, third-most in the NBA), and both Jusuf Nurkic (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Enes Kanter (18 points, 13 rebounds) had double-doubles. CJ McCollum had an off night, hitting just 3-for-14. The Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their past six.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Trail Blazers?
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LAKERS
105 -
TRAIL BLAZERS
113
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 7 May 1:52pm | LAL | -8.5 -110 | O +221.5 -110 |
| Closing 7 May 10:38pm | LAL | -8 -110 | O +223 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
| Points |
25.02 |
| Assists |
7.78 |
| Rebounds |
10.19 |
| FG% |
62.2 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
1.64 |
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
23.33 |
| Assists |
8 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
61.5 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.6 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Andre Drummond (C)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Marc Gasol (C)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Nassir Little (SF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Norman Powell (SG)
Norman Powell (SG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Norman Powell (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
|||||
| Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 | 2-2 | 0-3-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
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| Andre Drummond (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 0-5-1 | + - |
|
Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns. |
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| Alex Caruso (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. |
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| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 1-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans. |
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| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sat | Back - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers. |
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| Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday. |
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| Marc Gasol (C) | Prob Sun | Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-5 | 2-5-1 | + - |
|
Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday. |
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| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-6 | 3-6-1 | + - |
|
Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Nassir Little (SF) | Ques Sun | Back - 11 / 05 / 21 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 | 7-5 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Ques Mon | Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 | 8-6 | 9-5 | + - |
|
Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday. |
|||||
| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Fri | Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Sat | Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 | 15-12 | 14-13 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Thurs | Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 May 1:52pm LAL -8.5 -110 O +221.5 -110 Closing 7 May 10:38pm LAL -8 -110 O +223 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
Points 25.02
Assists 7.78
Rebounds 10.19
FG% 62.2
Steals 1.25
Blocks 1.64
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 23.33
Assists 8
Rebounds 11
FG% 61.5
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.6
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
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Injuries
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21Andre Drummond (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21Alex Caruso (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21Alfonzo McKinnie (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Marc Gasol (C)
Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21Nassir Little (SF)
Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Ques Thurs Knee - 02 / 06 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF) Out indefinitely Personal - 31 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Antetokounmpo is away from the team while tending to a personal matter, and there is no timetable for return.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 28 / 05 / 21 2-2 0-3-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is likely to suit up for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Andre Drummond (C) Ques Sun Leg - 20 / 05 / 21 3-3 0-5-1 + - Drummond is dealing with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Suns.
Alex Caruso (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Caruso is battling left foot soreness, but he is likely to be active for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Back - 16 / 05 / 21 3-4 1-5-1 + - Kuzma is bothered by lower-back tightness, but he is projected to be available for Sunday's contest against the Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sat Back - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Kuzma is hindered by lower-back tightness, but he is likely to be in Saturday's lineup versus the Pacers.
Alfonzo McKinnie (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - McKinnie was held out of the last game with a right foot sprain, but it is likely that he will take on the Pelicans on Sunday.
Marc Gasol (C) Prob Sun Finger - 14 / 05 / 21 3-5 2-5-1 + - Gasol missed the last game due to a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available to face the Pelicans on Sunday.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21 4-6 3-6-1 + - Caldwell-Pope is expected to suit up against the Rockets despite an ankle injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Nassir Little (SF) Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21 6-4 6-4 + - Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 7-5 7-5 + - Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 7-6 8-5 + - Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday.
Norman Powell (SG) Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 8-6 9-5 + - Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 15-12 14-13 + - Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz.