Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Jeremy Perry
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a spark at the start of their season. The Portland Trail Blazers have gotten the start they wanted this year. Will trends for these teams continue or change? That is the basic question to ask heading into Saturday’s matchup.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers are 2-6 against the spread and 3-5 straight up. The Lakers barely won on the moneyline against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. They did not cover the spread, winning by a single point, 114-113, on a LeBron James free throw in the final seconds. The Blazers are 6-2 against the spread and straight up after a convincing 132-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The Blazers got the third seed in the Western Conference last season, and so far, they are playing at a level which could lift them to home court in the first round of the playoffs once again.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers were once again shaky on defence in their win over Dallas. They did force 23 turnovers, but when they didn’t force turnovers, they still allowed Dallas to hit 50 percent of its field goal attempts and nearly 50 percent of three-pointers, at 13 of 29. Defending the three-point shot has been a problem for the Lakers, who allow 121.1 points per game, at the bottom of the league and surpassed only by the Washington Wizards. That number went down by only one point after the Dallas game – it had been 122 points per game entering Tuesday. The Lakers need to put together a number of games in which they allow only 100 to 105 points per game. Not only would they likely win, but they would gain more confidence and trust at the defensive end of the floor.
The Lakers’ offence is not a problem. Los Angeles put all five starters in double figures in scoring against Dallas. The Lakers hit 51.2 percent of their field goals and hit 59 percent of their threes, 10 of 17. The Lakers score 117 points per game. That should normally be enough to win. It is an indictment of the team that it is 3-5 despite its effective offence.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers limited the Pelicans to 43 percent field goal shooting and just 8 of 29, or 28 percent, from three. However, it has to be noted that Anthony Davis did not play for New Orleans. Portland took advantage of a matchup advantage and favorable circumstances.
Nevertheless, though, Portland’s offence is humming along. The Blazers – who beat the Lakers 128-119 in the season opener a few weeks ago – hit 51 percent of their field goals against New Orleans. They hit 18 of 35 threes, a majority of shots on a high volume of attempts. They hit 26 of 31 free throws. They scored from every spot on the court and displayed a balanced offence. Portland got 50 points from its bench and at least nine points from four different reserves.
