Portland is playing some of its best basketball of the season with 12 wins in its last 15 games, but is just 7-7-1 against the spread (ATS) over the same stretch.
The season comes to a merciful conclusion for the Los Angeles Lakers when they host Damian Lillard and the playoff-bound Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Staples Center. Even without LeBron James and the cast of talented youngsters, the Purple and Gold are shooting for their third straight victory to close the campaign.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Portland is playing some of its best basketball of the season with 12 wins in its last 15 games. Oddsmakers have made it difficult for bettors to turn a profit backing the Blazers. The club is just 7-7-1 against the spread (ATS) over the same stretch.
Despite the mixed bag results, Portland will close the regular season as one of the league’s better ATS teams. The Blazers have failed to cover the spread in just 35 of their 80 games this season. They’ve also made money for total bettors. The over is 42-35-2 in the Pacific Northwest squad’s contests and 6-3-1 in its last 10.
LA is fresh off an outright win over the Utah Jazz as a 12-point home underdog. The Lakers are 6-3 straight up and 7-2 ATS in their last nine matchups with a few outright upsets as double-digit underdogs.
Of course, all of this winning has happened only after the team’s playoff chances evaporated and much it has come without LeBron James in the lineup. James was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign at the start of April. LA is 4-2 against the number in its last six games without LBJ suited up to play.
Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard gets overlooked often in discussion of best guards in the Association for many reasons. He plays for a small market team on the West Coast with many of its games tipping off too late for hoop writers on the East Coast to check out. And the Trail Blazers haven’t made a deep postseason run during the Lillard era.
Still, consider Portland has made the playoffs every year since Lillard sophomore campaign and the club has been a No. 5 or better seed in the West in four of the last five years. The Blazers will repeat the feat again this year. They’re in line to finish with the fourth seed and will play the Utah Jazz in the first round.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are playing without their top three-leading scorers and their starting point guard and yet they’re still picking up wins. Head coach Luke Walton could point to this run when he hits the market this summer.
The club is expected to part ways with the former Golden State Warriors assistant because the management team of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka want to bring in their own guy. Get Byron Scott’s agent on the line!
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 9 Apr 3:50am | POR | -9.5 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
| Closing 9 Apr 3:50am | POR | -9.5 -110 | O +225.5 -110 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
TRAIL BLAZERS
111 -
LAKERS
103
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Apr 3:50am POR -9.5 -110 O +224.5 -110 Closing 9 Apr 3:50am POR -9.5 -110 O +225.5 -110 -
Injuries
Rodney 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 / 19Lance 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 / 19Injuries
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.
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.