Portland Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2017

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Blazers travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

The Blazers head into this matchup with a mark of 16-15. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.9 as they are averaging 102.4 points per contest while giving up 100.5 per game. The Lakers have an overall mark of 11-18. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 107.1 points per contest and giving up 109.8, which is a point differential of -2.7.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 14-15-2 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 9-22-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-14-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

12/21/17 PG Damian Lillard Leg is downgraded to OUT Friday vs Denver

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/20/17 G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Legal problems is probable Friday vs Golden
12/19/17 C Brook Lopez Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard comes into this contest averaging 25.2 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Blazers. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 93%. C.J. McCollum averages 21 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 4 rebounds per game for Portland. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma averages 17.4 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Jordan Clarkson averages 14.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 22.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.8 rebounds per contest and 3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 102.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 18.2 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 14.8 per game. The Blazers allow 100.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 4th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 8th and they give up 18.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the league with 107.1 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -2.66. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 46.5 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 23.3. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.7. The Lakers surrender 109.8 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 21st in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.6, and their defensive rating of 103.7 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 24th. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Portland is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league. The Lakers are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.2, and their defensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 102.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

Who will win tonight's Blazers/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Portland

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