Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers Free Prediction 04/09/19

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The Los Angeles Lakers (37-44), 9-point underdogs, welcome the Portland Trail Blazers (51-29) to Staples Center to kick off Western Conference play. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 224.5 points and action starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz in their last contest, 113-109, despite being 12-point underdogs. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, topped the Denver Nuggets, 115-108, but failed to cover as 8.5-point favorites. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Los Angeles game finished 5.5 points over the projected point total of 216.5, while the Portland game went 3.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5.

Portland played a nearly perfect game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.270 (above their season average of 0.209) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.2 (above their season average of 26.4). Denver was 0.116 and 22.6, respectively, for those same stats. Los Angeles, on the other hand, out-rebounded Utah. The Lakers had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. 10), defensive rebounds (33 vs. 25) and total rebounds (49 vs. 35). Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played well for Los Angeles with 32 points, six rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Portland was led by Damian Lillard, who contributed 30 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Lakers lead the season series two games to one. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 243 points, well over the projected point total of 223. Los Angeles won 126-117, covering as a 2-point favorite. Los Angeles was successful at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Lakers made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent), while the Trail Blazers were 21-23 (91.3 percent). LeBron James put up a double-double in the victory with 44 points and 10 rebounds.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Trail Blazers games, with 42 overs compared to 37 unders. Portland comes into the game with records of 51-29 straight up (SU) and 44-36 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas is known to set the total high when the Lakers are involved, as 48 of their 80 games have ended under the total. Further, Los Angeles is 37-44 SU and 33-46-2 ATS.

The Trail Blazers’ Enes Kanter has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 20 points,11.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, JaVale McGee has averaged 14 points,11.2 rebounds,1.8 blocks during that same time frame for the Lakers.

This game should be a battle of conflicting tempos. Los Angeles prefers an up-tempo style of play (fourth in possessions per game), while Portland is more half-court-oriented (15th in possessions per game). Additionally, the Trail Blazers rank second in offensive rebounding percentage (26.5 percent), while the Lakers rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.4 percent).

Trail Blazers at Lakers Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Lakers average 5.4 blocks per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Trail Blazers rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.2).
  • Portland ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (29.6) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (33.9).
  • The Trail Blazers rank seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.1) while the Lakers rank 27th (18.4).
  • Portland ranks fourth in second chance points per game (15.0) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
  • Portland ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (7.4) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (8.3).
  • The Trail Blazers average 48.1 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the league. The Lakers rank 25th in rebounds allowed per game (46.9).
  • The Trail Blazers rank third in assists allowed per game (23.1) while the Lakers rank 20th (25.1).
  • Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (55.7) while Portland ranks 14th (49.4).
  • Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (19.2) while Portland ranks 24th (11.1).
  • In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Los Angeles is 7-0 and Portland is 14-2.
  • In games where they reach the century mark, the Lakers are 36-34 and the Trail Blazers are 49-23.
  • Portland is 21-19 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 15-23-2 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone under in 27 of the Lakers’ 40 home games, while 20 of the Trail Blazers’ 40 road games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Portland and Los Angeles have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Lakers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Trail Blazers are 2-3.
  • During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 111.6 points per game (0.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
  • The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 4.2 for the season.