Portland Trail Blazers vs
Los Angeles LakersPredictions & Preview

Los Angeles Lakers Set to Face Off Against Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena in Western Conference Matchup

The 2024-25 NBA season continues Thursday, January 2, with the Portland Trail Blazers facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. This Western Conference matchup is set to tip-off at 10:30 PM ET. The Lakers are looking to secure their fifth consecutive victory over the Trail Blazers, having previously defeated them 107-98 on December 8. Los Angeles is currently favored to win by -9 points, with an opening line of -8.5. Read more about the Trail Blazers vs. Lakers prediction to see if the Lakers will continue their dominance in this upcoming game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +320 | Lakers -400
• Spread: Trail Blazers +9 (-110) | Lakers -9 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 224 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 80%.

Portland vs Los Angeles Stats

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers recently completed a three-game homestand with a 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS record. Despite wins over the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks, they suffered a heavy defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers. Portland struggled with turnovers and 3-point shooting in the loss. The team is currently ranked 27th in both offensive and defensive efficiency in the league, with poor shooting percentages and high turnover rates. The Trail Blazers have a power ranking of 27 and are ranked 25th in offense and 23rd in defense, with a record of 11-21 this season. Offensively, they struggle with field goal and three-point shooting, as well as turnovers. Defensively, they have issues with allowing high percentages of field goals and three-pointers. Overall, the Trail Blazers are facing challenges on both ends of the court.

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

The Los Angeles Lakers have recently won five of their last seven games but suffered a 122-110 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers last Tuesday. Despite outscoring the Cavs in the paint, the Lakers struggled from beyond the arc. Austin Reaves led the team with 35 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, while Anthony Davis had a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers have a power ranking of 26 and rank 16th for offense and 20th for defense in the NBA. They have a record of 18-14 and have struggled against the Portland Trail Blazers in their last three matchups. Los Angeles shoots 47.27% from the field, 34.99% from three-point range, and averages 41.22 rebounds per game. Defensively, they allow 47.74% shooting from the field and 36.41% from three-point range. They average 28.47 defensive assists and 13.66 turnovers per game.

Lakers' Strong Defense and Ball Control Lead to Decisive Victory Against Trail Blazers

In the December meeting between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers, the Lakers secured a decisive nine-point victory. They exhibited strong defense by limiting Portland to 41.7% shooting from the field and forcing 18 turnovers. The Lakers, with a turnover percentage of 12.3%, have shown proficiency in ball control and are expected to cover the spread again in the upcoming game. Additionally, the presence of Anthony Davis in the paint poses a significant threat to the Trail Blazers. Conversely, Portland's defensive weaknesses and struggles with rebounding play into the Lakers' favor. With recent improvements in their defense, the Lakers are poised to maintain their dominance on the court.

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