NBA

Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

December 28, 2020

By Michael Crosson

VegasInsider.com

Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Staples Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Monday, December 28, 2020
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
TV: NBATV
Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Nationally televised Monday Night NBA action is back and VI has you covered with all of the best bets and game previews for your betting needs, and we will finish things off for the day by taking a look at the 10 P.M. ET matchup between the Lakers-Blazers on NBATV.

Betting Odds - Trail Blazers vs. Lakers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Los Angeles -3
Money-Line: Los Angeles -150, Portland +130
Total: 225

The Lakers come into tonight’s contest as a 3-point favorite over the Blazers, which is the smallest pregame spread-margin since they played the Clippers in their first game, but still marks the 4th consecutive regular season contest that the defending champs have been listed as a favorite.

Anthony Davis and the Lakers will close out their four-game homestand against the Trail Blazers on Monday. (AP)

Trail Blazers-Lakers Current Form-Last Game

After being stomped by the Jazz in their season opener, 120-100 and a miserable outing from Damian Lillard (9 points, 1-7 3PA), the Blazers surprisingly showed an encouraging amount of fight against the Rockets on Sunday night as they edged Houston in overtime, 128-126 despite a 44-point, 17-assist performance from James Harden.

Anthony Davis sat out during last night’s Lakers’ 127-91 blowout win over the Timberwolves with a minor calf contusion, which goes to show that the Lakers’ recently added depth may make them even more of a monster than people realize with their offense appearing to not miss a beat with Marc Gasol starting in his place.

Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Head-to-Head

Playoff Games Played at NBA Bubble, Orlando, Florida

Aug. 29, 2020 - Lakers 131 Blazers 122, L.A. -13.5, Over 223
Aug. 24, 2020 - Lakers 135 Blazers 115, L.A. -7, Over 226
Aug. 22, 2020 - Lakers 116 Blazers 108, L.A. -7, Under 230
Aug. 20, 2020 - Lakers 111 Blazers 88, L.A. -7, Under 230
Aug. 18, 2020 - Blazers 100 Lakers 93, L.A. -6.5, Under 234

Obviously, the most recent matchup between these teams occurred during the first round of last year’s playoffs in the NBA Bubble, when the Blazers courageously stole a win in the first game of the series from LeBron James and the Lakers, only to get beat like a drum in four consecutive contests and a take a quick exit from the NBA Playoffs.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Trail Blazers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U

The Blazers gave the Rockets everything they could handle last night as McCollum and Lillard combined for 76 points, 17 assists, and 8 rebounds during Portland’s inspiring victory, and now they will be forced to turn things around and take on an even more difficult opponent than their previous one on Monday night.

Portland put on an absolute show against Houston and they still needed every second of overtime to pull off the victory over a quality team. The Blazers are undeniably better when Jusuf Nurkic the healthy, but I fear they exhausted all of the energy in the tank for the weekend against the Rockets yesterday and have nothing left for the Lakers tonight.

Lakers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U

Since losing to the Clippers on Opening night, 116-109, the Lakers have won and covered in each of their last two contests (Dallas and Minnesota) and will be looking for a third consecutive win ATS against a team they are very familiar with.

Considering AD sat out during the Lakers’ win on Sunday night and him and LeBron are both listed as game-time decisions again for Monday’s game, I would expect King James to get his rest during tonight’s contest as Los Angeles heads into the back half of a back-to-back.

Key Injuries

Portland Trail Blazers

SF Nassir Little: Undisclosed - Game Time Decision
PF Zach Collins: Ankle - Out

L.A. Lakers

SF LeBron James: Ankle - Game Time Decision
PF Anthony Davis: Calf - Game Time Decision

Player Prop Best Bet

C.J. McCollum – Over 25.5 points + assists (-113)

Tonight, I am electing to ride with the hot hand in C.J. McCollum as Lillard’s counterpart in the Portland guard tandem has averaged 33.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across his first two games to start the season.

With King James potentially being set to miss this contest, I like McCollum’s chances of keeping his explosive scoring momentum going tonight as the Blazers will still likely need spectacular performances from both of their guards to remain competitive in this game.