Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Blazers - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: NBC Sports Northwest

Odds/Point Spread: Portland +3.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers (24-7, 1st in the Pacific Division) travel to Moda Center on Saturday where they'll take on the Portland Trail Blazers (14-18, 4th in the Northwest Division). The spread on this contest has Portland as 3.5 point underdogs. The O/U opens at 224.

The Lakers are covering the spread 51.6% of the time, having gone 16-15-0 ATS. Portland is covering 43.3% of the time, going 13-17-2 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/25/2019 LeBron James SF Ribs Game Time Decision
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/26/2019 Mario Hezonja SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/9/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 15
12/7/2019 Rodney Hood SG Achilles Out for the season
11/12/2019 Zach Collins PF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Mar 15

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis comes into this game averaging 27.7 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 9.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 86%. LeBron James averages 25.7 points per contest in 34.9 minutes per game. He averages 10.6 assists per game and 7.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 68%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum scores 22.4 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 3.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Damian Lillard averages 26.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.2 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 112.1 points per contest, which is 11th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.9 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 45.4 boards per contest and 25.8 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 12th with 15.4 per game. The Lakers allow 105.1 points per contest, which is 6th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 8th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they allow 23.2 assists per game which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 10th in the NBA with 112.3 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.03. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 12th in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.6 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 19.7. The Blazers are 27th in turnovers per contest with 13.6. The Blazers give up 113.3 points per game, which ranks them 21st in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 8th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 22.9 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 47.9 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 6th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league. Los Angeles is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league. The Blazers are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -3.5

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