Date/Time: 01-31-2020, 22:30 EDT / 02:30 GMT
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -12 Total: +230.5
The team that currently holds the best record in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers (36-10), who are looking to bounce back after their latest defeat, are hosting a team that sits 4 games behind the playoff places of the West, the Portland Trail Blazers (21-27), who have lost only once in their last 4 games.
The Lakers have a 36-10 record (24-21-1 against the spread) and are sitting in the first place of the West. In their last game they saw a two-game winning streak getting snapped by losing on the road against the Sixers with a 91-108 score, not beating the odds. Anthony Davis leads the team both in scoring with 26.5 ppg and in rebounding with 9.1 per game. He isHe isLeBron James follows with 25.3 ppg, 7.7 rebounds and a league-best 10.7 assists per game.
The Blazers have a 21-27 record (18-28-2 against the spread) and are sitting on the 10th place of the West. They have won three of their last four matches and in their last game they won at home against the Rockets with a 125-112 score, beating the odds. Damian Lillard with leads the team both in scoring 29 ppg and in assists made with 7.8, adding 4.3 rebounds per game. CJ McCollum follows with 21.6 ppg, 4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Lakers have won both previous meetings against the Blazers this season. Both were on the road and by an average of 10.5 points. Lakers are 16-5 at home, while the Blazers are 9-16 on the road. Lakers are better both offensively (114 to 113 ppg) and defensively (106.3 to 114.8 ppg). Lakers have the best field goal percentage in the league (48.4% to 45.4%). On the other hand, Blazers have a better 3-point percentage (36.5% to 35.9%). Similarly, they are better both in rebounding (46 to 45.5) and in turnovers committed (12.7 to 14.4), while Lakers are better in assists made (25.8 to 19.9). The weak on the road Blazers don’t pose a threat in LA but the -12 spread is too much and expect the guests to force a closer game than that.
Blazers vs Lakers Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers +12 (-109)
