The LA Clippers face the Portland Trail Blazers for the second of back-to-back meetings Friday in Portland, with tipoff set for 10 p.m. ET. This will be their third meeting of the season, with LA winning the previous two meetings. The Clippers beat the Trail Blazers 116-103 in their previous meeting on Wednesday.
The Clippers are 43-25, fourth in the Western Conference and have won five of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are 37-27 and second-to-last in the Western Conference, winning just two of their last 10 games. They are currently facing a four-game losing streak following Wednesday’s loss to Los Angeles.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Preview, Betting Tips and Predictions
•
Root Sports Plus and Bally Sports SoCal will live stream the Clippers-Trail Blazers game. Fans outside of local areas can watch the contest online via live stream on fuboTV or through NBA League Pass.
Money line: Clippers (-1000) vs. Trail Blazers (+650)
Spread: Clippers (-12.5) vs. Trail Blazers (+12.5)
Total (P/U): -110 (o217.5) / -110 (u217.5)
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Preview
Heading into the second straight game, the Los Angeles Clippers will look to replicate his success on the road.
Although the Pistons were eliminated from playoff contention, the Heat are looking to secure a playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference without trading through the play-in tournament.
Wednesday’s game saw James Harden lead the Clippers’ charge with 19 points, four rebounds, 14 assists and a block. Paul George led the scoring with 27 points while Kawhi Leonard added 24 points in the victory.
In the meantime, Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers’ loss with 18 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals.
For Friday’s rematch, the Clippers have four players listed on their injury report: Russell Westbrook will be out for the game. Moussa Diabaté, Terrance Mann and Norman Powell are listed as questionable and their involvement will be a game decision.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have six players listed on their injury report: Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons and Matisse Thybulle are listed as questionable. Their participation in the contest will be a game-time decision. Shaedon Sharpe is out for the game while Robert Williams III is out for the season.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Starting Lineups
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is expected to use a starting lineup consisting of James Harden (PG), Terrance Mann (SG), Paul George (SF), Kawhi Leonard (PF), and Ivica Zubac (C).
On the other hand, Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups will likely use a starting lineup consisting of Scoot Henderson (PG), Anfernee Simons (SG), Kris Murray (SF), Toumani Camara (PF) and Deandre Ayton (VS).
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Betting Tips
Kawhi Leonard is favored to score more than 24.5 points. However, he has averaged 23.0 points in his last 10 games and dropped 24 points against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Betting on the bottom line seems solid.
James Harden is favored to score over 15.5 points. He’s averaged 17.2 points in his last 10 games and scored 19 points on Wednesday. Given the statistics, it is advisable to bet on the over for its total points.
Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons is favored to score over 22.5 points. Simons is averaging 23 points this season, which is 0.5 points above his points bet. Additionally, he is averaging 26.1 points in his last 10 games.
Despite his 14-point performance on Wednesday, betting on Simons’ point total is advisable as the Blazers will look to avoid a season sweep against the Clippers.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction
The Clippers have an implied win probability of 90.9% according to the moneyline set by sportsbooks for this matchup.
Although the Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of elimination, the LA Clippers will look to pick up their favorite wins to maintain their spot in the tight Western Conference.
