WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers betting preview for Friday, December 31. At the time of posting, the Lakers are holding steady as a 5.5-point home favorite over the visiting Trail Blazers, with the total sitting at 227 points.<\/p>\n
Stay on top of the latest NBA<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/p>\n Two struggling teams face off on New Years Eve in LA as the Trailb Bazers come to town, and this game might come down to who is just less bad tonight. Portland has lost 10 of 12, and the Lakers have lost 6 of 7, so don\u2019t expect a basketball clinic tonight, however we will try and cash a ticket as these two struggling teams face off with the Lakers being a 5.5-point home favorite and the total set at 227 points.<\/p>\n The Lakers’ struggles are well documented with the turnovers with Westbrook, and AD\u2019s absence, but what you can\u2019t find on the stat sheet is just how worn down they can get over the course of a game as Lebron and Westbrook have to do so much to keep them in games, and we saw it against Memphis. Lebron played lights out to keep them in the game, but they fell apart down the stretch and lost by 5.<\/p>\n The Lakers’ only win in the last two weeks is against the Rockets, and they are tied for 3rd worst ATS record this season, but the books seem to be adjusting as the Lakers are 5-4-1 ATS their last 10, however they\u2019ve been way worse at home as they are 6-14 ATS this season at Crypto.com Arena and 0-3 their last three.<\/p>\n I made the case that Nurkic being out was devastating for Portland, and I feel I\u2019ve been proven right as they\u2019ve gotten blown out by Dallas and Utah the last two games, but those teams feature centers who can score and with AD out, the advantage isn\u2019t quite there to take advantage of the matchup.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be focusing on the last two games to handicap this game and what I see is no defense for Portland, and Lillard carrying the load. He\u2019s had over 30 points in four of the last five games and this is a dream matchup against a terrible Lakers perimeter.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t like betting the spread on either of these two teams, but I will sprinkle a bit on the over. Portland has given up 120, and 132 the two games without Nurkic, and the Lakers have given up 104 or more to opponents in 8 straight games. Lillard should thrive against a bad perimeter Lakers defense, and the paint will be wide open for the Lakers tonight.<\/p>\n OFFICIAL PLAY: Over 227 Points<\/p>\n Interested in placing a bet on tonight’s Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers contest? DraftKings is offering a $1,000 Deposit Bonus<\/a> for first-time bettors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Wyoming and Arizona.<\/em><\/p>\n Free Play Video coming later…We have a 4% bet in the afternoon Pacers-Bulls game available…only $12. Grab it here if you’re interested in some NBA Afternoon Action: https:\/\/t.co\/Xv2JkKSGRY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Andy Lang (@BumpSports) December 31, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n
\n Fri, Dec 31<\/th>\n NBA Betting Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Point Spread:<\/td>\n Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 vs Portland Trail Blazers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Total:<\/td>\n 227 Points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Game Time:<\/td>\n 10:40pm ET \/ 7:40pm PT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Arena:<\/td>\n Crypto.com Arena<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n TV:<\/td>\n NBA TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Analysis<\/h2>\n
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