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Andrew Rogers
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Game 2 Prediction: NBA Playoff Odds, Point Spread
Who said the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t play defence? The fan favourites of the Northwest Division limited a powerhouse Lakers offence to under 100 points, and will look to repeat the feat Thursday as the teams tangle in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarter-final series. Damian Lillard had 34 points and the Trail Blazers kept everyone outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis at bay to snatch victory despite being a six-point underdog.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Lakers are looking at a similar line to what they saw in Game 1 – and while 55 percent of Sports Interaction bettors were on board with the underdogs in the opener, that number has grown to 70 percent in Portland’s favour heading into Game 2. Los Angeles has gone five consecutive games without a cover, while the Trail Blazers have also had their share of against the spread (ATS) struggles with a 5-12 mark in their last 17 games vs. Pacific Division opponents.
A low-scoring Game 1 didn’t deter oddsmakers, who have set the total for Game 2 at 229 (only a half-point below the series opening number). But what happened in Portland’s upset victory has resonated with the betting public, who were on the O229.5 at a 90-percent clip last time out but are nearly split this time around, with the Over at 52 percent. The Lakers have converted the Under in eight of their past 12 games overall.
Portland Trail Blazers
Stopping Damian Lillard will be a major priority for the Lakers moving forward – and we wish them the best of luck. Lillard averaged 36 points in three meetings with L.A. during the regular season and he was at his sharp-shooting best in the playoff opener, knocking down six of his 13 3-point attempts. That gives him an incredible 27 makes from beyond the arc in his last four games – which could make the Over on his 3-point player prop a hot ticket Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers
While oddsmakers haven’t budged much on the Game 2 line or total compared with Game 1, it will be interesting to see how they approach LeBron’s points/rebounds/assist prop. He made Over bettors very happy last time out with a ridiculous stat line of 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 assists. He’s clearly prepared to lift the Lakers on his shoulders if need be – and with Thursday already a must-win game, look for another 50-point stat combo from King James.
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LAL