Thursday, January 5, 2017

Moda Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Thursday, January 5, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 3.5 point favorites. The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 13-25. They are 4th in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.7 as they are averaging 104.5 points per game while giving up 110.2 per contest. The Blazers have an overall record of 15-21. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.3 points per game and surrendering 110.9, good for a point differential of -3.6.

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 13.6 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Lakers. He pulls down 8.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 70%. Jordan Clarkson averages 14 points per game in 27.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 3 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

C.J. McCollum averages 22.9 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 90%. Damian Lillard averages 27 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 6.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Los Angeles averages 104.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 51.9 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game which ranks them 18th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 15.6 per game. The Lakers allow 110.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 51.8 rebounds a game which ranks 17th and they give up 25.2 assists per contest which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Portland averages 107.3 points per game this year which ranks them 7th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 11th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the NBA. They average 49.6 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per contest which ranks them 27th and 17th respectively. In the turnover department the Blazers rank 15th with 13.7 per game. The Blazers allow 110.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc ranking them 22nd and 28th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 54.5 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 21 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. The Blazers force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

The Lakers have an offensive rating of 106.7 and a defensive rating of 112.5. In terms of pace they average 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 30% of their shots. Los Angeles turns the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions and they force 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%.

The Blazers rating on offense is 109.3 and they have a defensive rating of 112.9. They get 97.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 52%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 34% of their shot attempts. Portland turns the ball over on 12.5 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.8 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 17-20-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 22-15-1 against the over/under

Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 14-22-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 21-15-0 against the over/under

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/20/16 F Larry Nance Jr. Knee expected to miss 4 weeks

Portland Blazers Injuries

10/25/16 C Festus Ezeli Knee out indefinitely
01/03/17 PG Damian Lillard Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs. Golden State

Josh's Pick: Take Portland -3.5

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