The second of four meetings between the two Western Conference teams this season will take place on Monday when the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
On October 25, LA defeated Portland 123-111 in the opening game. But since then, the Clippers have made changes to their roster, adding star guard James Harden in the middle of the season. They will thus be even more potent on the offensive this time.
Both clubs are headed in different paths in the congested West as of Monday. While the Clippers (11-10) have won three straight, the Blazers (6-15) have dropped their last three games.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Preview, advice for betting, and forecast
The Blazers and Clippers play their first game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, at 10:30 p.m. EST. Live coverage of it may be found on ROOT SPORTS/ROOT SPORTS Plus and Bally Sports SoCal. Additionally, NBA League Pass and FuboTV provide live streaming for it.
Trail Blazers (+600) vs. Clippers (-900) is the moneyline.
Trail Blazers (+13.0) vs Clippers (-13.0) is the spread.
Trail Blazers (o220.0) vs. Clippers (u220.0): Over/Under
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Preview
The Blazers have a number of important veterans on their injured list going into Monday. Guard Malcolm Brogdon (knee) and center Deandre Ayton (knee) are both classified as doubtful and day-to-day.
In the meanwhile, forwards Ish Wainwright (knee) and Jerami Grant (concussion) are listed as out. Big man Robert Williams III is also out for the whole season due to a knee injury.
The Clippers had a considerably shorter injury report than the other team. Joshua Primo, a reserve guard, has a problematic knee. Backup big men Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee are out due to knee injuries.
LA Clippers against. Portland Trail Blazers: Expected starting lineups
On Monday, the Blazers may be missing as many as three starters (Ayton, Brogdon, and Grant) once more. If so, they’ll probably open with the same lineup that they used in Friday’s 125–112 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks.
Anfernee Simons, an attacking guard, and Matisse Thybulle, a defensive specialist, were in the backcourt of that unit. Shaedon Sharpe, a sophomore wing, began the game in the frontcourt with freshmen Duop Reath and Toumani Camara.
Regarding the Clippers, Harden and shooting guard Terance Mann should be in the backcourt in their usual starting five. Ivica Zubac, the big man, and star wings Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will probably round out their frontcourt.
NBA vs. Portland Trail Blazers betting advice
Leonard has an over/under points prop of 23.5 going into Monday’s game. The two-time NBA champion just finished a season-high 41 points in Friday’s 117-103 victory over the Utah Jazz for the Clippers.
He did, however, record three games in which he scored 23 points or fewer. On the first night of play, he scored precisely 23 against the Blazers as well.
Leonard should be able to get some easy buckets early in the game because Portland is lacking in players. But because it’s probably going to be a blowout, he’ll probably take a long break in the second half. Therefore, it could be wise to take him under.
Zubac, Leonard’s teammate, has an over/under rebounds prop of 9.5 in the meanwhile. In four of his previous seven games, Zubac has pulled down at least 12 rebounds. On opening night against Portland, he also pulled down 12 rebounds.
Zubac will face a Blazers team that may not have both of its best big men (Ayton and Williams) available this time. Despite having little playing time, he ought to dominate the boards. It seems reasonable to assume control over him.
LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction
When both teams are playing at full strength, LA’s squad is far more experienced and potent than Portland’s. On Monday, though, the Blazers’ lack of depth should make the talent difference between the two teams even more evident.
Thus, the Clippers should have an easy victory at home if they start the game with attention. They ought to be able to cover the spread (-13.0) against the Blazers’ 30th-ranked offense (105.5 offensive rating) as well, given their star power.
