Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Apr. 20, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Western Conference NBA action will resume on Tuesday night with the Trail Blazers set to host the Clippers during the final matchup on TNT’s nationally televised slate.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Moda Center
Location: Portland, Oregon
Date: Tuesday, Apr. 20, 2021
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Clippers vs. Trail Blazers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Clippers -8.5
Money-Line: L.A. -375, Portland +295
Total: 227

Los Angeles enters Tuesday’s matchup as an 8.5-point favorite over the homestanding Trail Blazers – marking the ninth time Portland has been listed as an underdog since the onset of March (24 games).

The total for this contest currently sits at OU 228.5, which is just the fourth time since the start of April that the over-under for a Clippers’ game has been set above 221 (11 games).

The Clippers square off with the Trail Blazers on Tuesday as L.A. seeks its third win over Portland this season. (AP)

Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Current Form-Last Game

Portland heads into Tuesday following losses in three of the last four games, with all the Blazers’ losses during that timeframe coming in matchups that they were favored in (Charlotte, Boston, Miami).

The Blazers’ most recent affair resulted in an eight-point loss to the Hornets – as C.J. McCollum and Carmelo Anthony both chipped in over 20 points apiece during the absence of Damian Lillard, but it still wasn’t enough secure a victory in the contest.

Contrarily, the Clippers head into Tuesday’s contest boasting wins in eight of their last nine games – with L.A.’s only loss across that stretch coming in a tough, non-conference matchup against the Sixers that took place in Philadelphia this past Friday.

The Clippers bounced back with a win over Minnesota on Sunday night though – as all five L.A. starters, and Luke Kennard, eclipsed double-digit scoring on the way to an easy, 19-point victory over the Wolves.

Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Head-to-Head

Apr. 6, 2021 - Clippers 133 vs. Blazers 116, L.A. -6.5, Over 229
Dec. 30, 2020 - Clippers 128 vs. Blazers 105, L.A. -5.5, Over 225.5

Los Angeles has reigned victorious by 15 or more points in both of its matchups against the Blazers this year – with both of those contests also going over the total set for Tuesday’s event (OU 228.5).

The first matchup between Portland and Los Angeles this season resulted in a 23-point win for the Clippers, as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teamed up for 61 points on 17-of-32 from the floor during the first three quarters of the contest – leading to a well-earned rest period for L.A.’s starters in the final stanza of the blowout victory.

George and Leonard were even more dominant the second time out against Portland this year – as the Clippers’ superstars combined for 65 points on 21-of-36 from the field during a 133-116 victory for Los Angeles.

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

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 40-19 SU, 35-23-1 ATS, 32-26-1 OU
Road: 17-11 SU, 16-11-1 ATS, 15-13 OU

The Clippers enter Tuesday’s contest having won eight of their last 10 games, which currently gives Los Angeles the third-best record in the Western Conference – falling just three games behind the league-leading Jazz.

This year’s Clippers team has played at a significantly faster pace than last year’s squad did – which has resulted in the 'over' cashing at a 32-26-1 clip in matchups containing Los Angeles so far this season.

Make note though, that trend seems to have fizzled out across L.A.’s most recent stretch of contests – considering the total has stayed 'under' in seven of the 11 Clippers’ games.

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 32-24 SU, 27-29 ATS, 29-27 OU
Home: 16-12 SU, 11-17 ATS, 13-15 OU

Lillard sat out during the Blazers’ last two games with a hamstring injury, which has become the easy scapegoat for explaining Portland’s recent struggles.

Obviously, Lillard’s void in the lineup doesn’t help the Blazers’ case, but Portland’s issues appear to extend far beyond the recent absences of the superstar point-guard – considering the Blazers have now lost four of the last five matchups that Dame participated in.

Portland has leaned towards the 'over' for most of the current season – with the total currently sitting at a 29-27 clip over the course of the Blazers’ current campaign.

Make note though, Lillard’s most recent injury seems to have slightly slowed down Portland’s offensive approach – which has led to ‘under’ results in three straight games.

Key Injuries

L.A. Clippers

PG Patrick Beverley: Hand - Out
C Serge Ibaka: Back - Out

Portland Trail Blazers

PG Damian Lillard: Hamstring - Out
PF Zach Collins: Ankle - Out

Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Player Prop Best Bet

Paul George – Under 24.5 Points (-114)

After a four-game absence due to a foot injury, Kawhi finally returned to the Clippers’ lineup during their victory over Minnesota on Sunday night – which resulted in George falling short of 30 points for the first time since L.A. matched up with the Nuggets on the first of April.

Prior to Leonard’s most recent injury, George had scored less than 25 points in 10 of 13 games – which is likely a bar he will continue to be consistently outdistanced by with his superstar-counterpart accounting for so much of the Clippers’ offensive volume.

I’ll back George to stay under that number again here, as having Kawhi back healthy should continue to drive PG’s numbers down in the near future.