Portland continues to be a challenging team to follow. While they have pieces you can support, things rarely fall into place for this team. They’ve struggled to find identity and continue to have streaky performances.
One of the most glaring issues has been coaching. Chauncey Billups has been a disaster hire for four seasons now. Of course, losing has been the strategy for Portland to boost its draft odds, but still. We got a glimpse of this team without Billups, in which they won both games, while Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe had terrific games. It’s becoming painfully clear that Billups' tenure with Portland will likely end soon.
Beyond the coaching, the roster has been plagued with minor injuries. Players have been missing several games here and there, making the rotations unpredictable. When this team is completely healthy, they have some real talent with a deep bench.
This matchup against the Lakers is intriguing. Portland had played them once before this game, which they lost, but they lined up well against LA. With all three centers, Clingan, Ayton, and Williams, available, they’ll have a ton of interior defense. Considering how good AD has been this year, that could be key in slowing down the Lakers. If AD doesn’t play tonight, Portland could easily dominate the paint.
Portland also has a good assortment of wing defenders they can harass LeBron with. Camara and Avdija have been solid this year, and with Jerami Grant out tonight, they’ll both have larger roles. If they can at least stay in front of the 40-year-old, they’ll make a big difference in this game.
Overall, the spread for this game is too high. Portland has been decent at times, but LAL is the exact type of team they can beat. LAL’s lineup adjustment, especially with D’LO moving for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, could give Portland the slight advantage they need tonight. I think we see a Portland victory in LAL tonight!
The Lakers still feel like a team searching for its potential. They’ve been doing well the last few weeks, maintaining their record at 18-14, but the question remains: what to do with this team? They’ve shown some flashes of elite athleticism and beaten some great opponents. It’s just hard to say what this team’s true ceiling is. They traded for Shake Milton and Dorian Finney-Smith, which should help the bench unit. However, what can this team do?
They have been riding LeBron, who just turned 40, and AD, who is not an Ironman. Austin Reaves has been a nice surprise this year as he’s taken another small leap, but this roster is flat beyond him. The bench unit has struggled to score all year. They are currently second to last in average bench points per game. That’s not surprising, considering they’re relying on Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, and Gabe Vincent, plus their new additions Milton and Smith.
Beyond the sorry state of the bench, this Lakers team can still be devastating. They match up reasonably well against Portland, especially without Jerami Grant. The only issue for LAL against Portland will be their size. After AD, the Lakers aren’t a massive team, and Portland will have size to throw at most of the matchups tonight.
The Lakers will need to take an early lead in this game. Demonizing Portland on the road early will probably lead to a blowout. If they let them hang around, Portland gets dangerous and confident.
However, I’m worried about LAL in this game. Even with them playing well lately, this feels like a trap game. With how well Portland matches against LAL, the Lakers can’t come out sleeping on Portland just because they have a bad record. I think Portland steals this one, and the Lakers get burned at home.
Christain Wood Out
Jalen Hood-Schifino Out
Anthony Davis Questionable
Gabe Vincent Questionable
Jarred Vanderbilt Out
Dalano Banton Questionable
Jerami Grant Out
Matisse Thybulle Out
Spread: +9 POR (-108) / -9 LAL (-112)
Total Points: 224
Moneyline: POR (+320) / LAL (-410)
Deni Avdija Over 16.5 Points (-105)
Rui Hachimura Over 4.5 Rebounds (-154)
LeBron James Triple-Double Yes (+700)
Anfernee Simons Over 0.5 Steals (-180)