How much better will the Lakers be with LeBron James? They opened as 3-point underdogs for their season opener in Portland.
The latest chapter of Showtime officially takes effect Thursday night as LeBron James makes his debut as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron’s first-ever game as a member of a Western Conference team pits his Lakers against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have one of the top backcourts in the NBA but have one of the thinner benches in the league. The Lakers haven’t made the postseason since 2013, but are a good bet to end that drought this year.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 17 Oct 11:07am | LAL | -1.5 -123 | O +134.5 -119 |
| Closing 19 Oct 2:32am | LAL | -2.5 -115 | O +223.5 -110 |
The Trail Blazers come in with a slim edge by virtue of home-court advantage. Portland was a solid 28-13 in their own building last season, but come into this one still feeling the sting of last year’s four-game first-round sweep at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans. The Blazers do, however, have one of the more impressive home cover streaks in the league at the moment, having gone 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 contests at the Moda Center.
As with the majority of games early in the season, this one has a sky-high total of 222 – and there are compelling reasons to believe that these teams will wind up under the number. Portland allowed the third-fewest points per game among Western Conference teams last season (103.0), while the Lakers are expected to be much better at the defensive end with the acquisition of James and the further development of second-year guard Lonzo Ball.
Los Angeles Lakers
The road team has successfully covered in each of the previous six meetings between the teams – and with LeBron in the fold, the Lakers believe they’re in good shape to extend that trend Thursday night. James was his usual efficient self in two meetings with the Blazers last season, averaging 29.5 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists on 59.5 percent shooting. Los Angeles went 3-3 in the preseason, averaging 112.5 points for and 113.5 points against.
Portland Trail Blazers
With Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum returning, the Blazers will, at the very least, boast a dangerous pair of guards who can take over the game at any time. But the losses of Ed Davis and Shabazz Napier will test them, and new acquisitions Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas will be expected to provide more than they did last year. Portland had a solid preseason, winning three of its five games while finishing with a point differential of plus-5.8.
Injuries
Lance Stephenson (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Tyson Chandler (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Tyson Chandler (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Mike Muscala (PF)
Josh Hart (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Rodney Hood (SG)
Rodney Hood (SG)
Maurice Harkless (SF)
Enes Kanter (C)
Maurice Harkless (SF)
Enes Kanter (C)
Enes Kanter (C)
CJ McCollum (SG)
Maurice Harkless (SF)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Stephenson (SG) | Ques Tues | Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested. |
|||||
| Tyson Chandler (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest. |
|||||
| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 04 / 04 / 19 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Tues | Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot. |
|||||
| Tyson Chandler (C) | Ques Tues | Flu - 26 / 03 / 19 | 7-2 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 24 / 03 / 19 | 7-3 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans. |
|||||
| Mike Muscala (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19 | 7-4 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets. |
|||||
| Josh Hart (SG) | out for season | Knee - 21 / 03 / 19 | 7-4 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season. |
|||||
| Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 18 / 03 / 19 | 7-5 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodney Hood (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Hood is battling a bone bruise in his left knee but is likely to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors. |
|||||
| Rodney Hood (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 12 / 05 / 19 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hood has a bone bruise in his left knee but is likely to suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors. |
|||||
| Maurice Harkless (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 05 / 05 / 19 | 3-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Harkless is expected to suit up against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round despite a right ankle sprain. |
|||||
| Enes Kanter (C) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 19 | 4-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Kanter reaggravated his separated left shoulder and injured his right bursa, but he is expected to take the floor for Game 4 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Maurice Harkless (SF) | Ques Fri | Ankle - 01 / 05 / 19 | 4-6 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Harkless has a right ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will draw back into the lineup against the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Enes Kanter (C) | Prob Mon | Shoulder - 24 / 04 / 19 | 5-7 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Kanter is dealing with a separated shoulder but it is anticipated that he will play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
|||||
| Enes Kanter (C) | Prob Fri | Hand - 17 / 04 / 19 | 7-8 | 8-7 | + - |
|
Kanter suffered a right hand contusion but is expected to take the court for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Thunder. |
|||||
| CJ McCollum (SG) | Out Wed | Rest - 10 / 04 / 19 | 8-10 | 10-8 | + - |
|
McCollum will not play against the Kings on Wednesday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Maurice Harkless (SF) | Prob Tues | Hip - 07 / 04 / 19 | 8-11 | 11-8 | + - |
|
Harkless was lifted from the last game due to left hip tightness but it is not expected to affect his status for Tuesday's matchup versus the Lakers. |
|||||
| Gary Trent Jr. (SG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 07 / 04 / 19 | 8-11 | 11-8 | + - |
|
Trent Jr. has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games with a bout of gastroenteritis and it is uncertain if he will face the Kings on Wednesday. |
|||||
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Prediction
-
LAKERS
114 -
TRAIL BLAZERS
110
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Oct 11:07am LAL -1.5 -123 O +134.5 -119 Closing 19 Oct 2:32am LAL -2.5 -115 O +223.5 -110 -
Injuries
Lance Stephenson (SG)
Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19Rajon Rondo (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19Tyson Chandler (C)
Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19Tyson Chandler (C)
Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19Mike Muscala (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19Josh Hart (SG)
out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19Rodney Hood (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19Rodney Hood (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 12 / 05 / 19Maurice Harkless (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 05 / 19Enes Kanter (C)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 19Maurice Harkless (SF)
Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 05 / 19Enes Kanter (C)
Prob Mon Shoulder - 24 / 04 / 19Enes Kanter (C)
Prob Fri Hand - 17 / 04 / 19CJ McCollum (SG)
Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 19Maurice Harkless (SF)
Prob Tues Hip - 07 / 04 / 19Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Ques Wed Illness - 07 / 04 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Lance Stephenson (SG) Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 2-0 2-0 + - Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C) Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 2-0 2-0 + - Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19 2-2 2-2 + - Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 3-2 3-2 + - Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C) Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19 7-2 4-5 + - Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19 7-3 4-6 + - Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19 7-4 4-7 + - Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG) out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19 7-4 4-7 + - Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19 7-5 5-7 + - Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Rodney Hood (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 2-2 1-3 + - Hood is battling a bone bruise in his left knee but is likely to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors.
Rodney Hood (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 12 / 05 / 19 3-2 2-3 + - Hood has a bone bruise in his left knee but is likely to suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors.
Maurice Harkless (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 05 / 19 3-5 5-3 + - Harkless is expected to suit up against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round despite a right ankle sprain.
Enes Kanter (C) Prob Sun Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 19 4-5 5-4 + - Kanter reaggravated his separated left shoulder and injured his right bursa, but he is expected to take the floor for Game 4 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Maurice Harkless (SF) Ques Fri Ankle - 01 / 05 / 19 4-6 6-4 + - Harkless has a right ankle sprain and it is unknown if he will draw back into the lineup against the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference second round.
Enes Kanter (C) Prob Mon Shoulder - 24 / 04 / 19 5-7 7-5 + - Kanter is dealing with a separated shoulder but it is anticipated that he will play in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
Enes Kanter (C) Prob Fri Hand - 17 / 04 / 19 7-8 8-7 + - Kanter suffered a right hand contusion but is expected to take the court for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Thunder.
CJ McCollum (SG) Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 19 8-10 10-8 + - McCollum will not play against the Kings on Wednesday as he will receive a day of rest.
Maurice Harkless (SF) Prob Tues Hip - 07 / 04 / 19 8-11 11-8 + - Harkless was lifted from the last game due to left hip tightness but it is not expected to affect his status for Tuesday's matchup versus the Lakers.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) Ques Wed Illness - 07 / 04 / 19 8-11 11-8 + - Trent Jr. has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games with a bout of gastroenteritis and it is uncertain if he will face the Kings on Wednesday.