The first full week of the NBA regular season begins on Monday night with a five-game slate. The evening’s action is highlighted by a late-night battle out west as the Portland Trail Blazers take on the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. Oddsmakers have pegged L.A. as a short home favorite.
Blazers vs Lakers Game Info
Portland Trail Blazers (1-1, 0-1 Away) at Los Angeles Lakers (2-1, 2-1 Home)
Date: Monday, Dec. 28, 2020
Venue: STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, CA
Start Time: 10 p.m. EST
TV: NBA TV
Blazers vs Lakers NBA Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of Bovada Sportsbook
Moneyline: POR: (+145) | LAL: (-165)
Spread: POR: +3 (-110) | LAL: -3 (-110)
Total: 225 – Over (-110) | Under (-110)
Blazers vs Lakers NBA Betting Overview
Blazers Outlook
Portland comes into Monday evening’s contest with a 1-1 record. The Blazers earned their first win of the season when they topped the Houston Rockets by a narrow two-point margin over the weekend. In a similar vein to last season, the defense has been very suspect for Portland in each of their first two games this year. The Blazers allowed 120 points to Utah in a season-opening loss and another 126 to Houston in Saturday’s win. They were able to overcome the poor defense in the latter thanks to a heroic 44-point effort from CJ McCollum. He and Damian Lillard continue to be the focal points offensively for the Blazers. In theory, a healthy Jusuf Nurkic and the addition of Robert Covington should help Portland improve what was a brutal frontcourt throughout last season.
Carmelo Anthony will be out for the Blazers vs Lakers game tonight.
Lakers Outlook
After suffering a season-opening loss to the crosstown rival Clippers, LeBron James and the Lakers have rebounded nicely with a pair of blowout wins their last two times out. Los Angeles dispatched Dallas on Christmas Day and routed Minnesota just last night. The win over the Timberwolves is of particular note, given the Lakers were without Anthony Davis due to a calf injury. Davis is a game-time decision once again for Monday’s game. With or without AD in the lineup, this Lakers team is even more fearsome than the team that hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy this past summer. The key additions of Marc Gasol, Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell are already making their presence felt in the box scores.
Blazers vs Lakers NBA Betting Trends
- Blazers NBA Betting Trends: 0-2 ATS; 1-1 to the Over
- Lakers NBA Betting Trends: 2-1 ATS; 2-1 to the Over
Blazers vs Lakers Statistics
- Portland is averaging 114.0 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 13 in the NBA)
- Portland is surrendering 123.0 PPG on the season (No. 26 in the NBA)
- Los Angeles is averaging 124.7 PPG this season (No. 2 in the NBA)
- Los Angeles is surrendering 107.3 PPG this season (No. 9 in the NBA)
Blazers vs Lakers Prop Bet
Derrick Jones Jr. Over 4.5 Total Rebounds (+102 at Bovada Sportsbook)
Derrick Jones Jr. became a household NBA name winning the slam dunk contest at last year’s All-Star Game. After putting together his best statistical season with the Miami Heat last year, Jones signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Blazers in free agency. Remember those Portland defensive struggles we mentioned in the overview section? The Blazers are hoping Jones can help be a part of turning things around with his hustle and intensity on the defensive end.
While his numbers haven’t been eye-popping in the first two contests, an average of 31 minutes per game (36 in Saturday’s win) is a welcome sign. Assuming Jones can thrive in the role Portland is looking for him to play, I would expect him to be active on the glass all season with tonight’s game being no exception. With ample playing time to get there, I like the Over on 4.5 total rebounds for Jones tonight.
