Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Nov. 6, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Lakers may be without their top two stars as LeBron James will sit and Anthony Davis is in doubt against the Blazers. Portland has their own star-trouble, as Damian Lillard continued to struggle in a win over the Pacers. The Blazers host the Lakers 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday night on NBATV.

Score Prediction

Blazers 114, Lakers 103

Best Bets

Blazers -4.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Predictions

James and the Lakers are seeing a similar bout with injury as they saw at the start of last season. Adding Davis to the list tonight would be enough for the Blazers to take full advantage and win the game. James continues to sit – expected to be out a week with an abdominal strain – and Davis might sit with a sprained thumb.

The Lakers come off a loss to the Thunder where James was absent, and Davis suffered the injury. The duo accounts for over 50 PPG and leaves Russell Westbrook as the only other player with 20+ points per-game. Carmelo Anthony and Ken Bazemore can’t pick up the scoring slack. Expect a long night for Malik Monkalso picking up minutes in James’ absence.

The difference between the Lakers and Blazers dealing with star issues is simple and advantageous to the Blazers; Portland has been living with Dame’s nightmare while the Lakers are adjusting on the fly. Lillard was brutal once again on Friday night, finishing with just four points and went 0-6 from three.

But the Blazers played above that and took advantage of other matchups against the Pacers. Expect the same thing Saturday night. Westbrook is going to have to work on both ends of the floor all night – and that assumes Lillard doesn’t snap out of his funk.

The Lakers will be struggling to find consistent scoring outside of Westbrook – assuming Davis joins James in street clothes. It’s not a long trip, but the Lakers must head north and play a revitalized Blazers team – who is 4-1 at home. Melo, Westbrook, Bazemore, Monk are the names now charged with stopping Blazers starters – even Lillard.

The Lakers need to cut down on turnovers and limit offensive possessions for the Blazers, things that become increasingly difficult without the presence of their top two All-Stars. Westbrook doesn’t have enough talent around him to single-handedly win this game.

While Lillard couldn’t hit a three if they widened the rim, CJ McCollum took over against the Pacers knocking down five of them. He’s struggled some in losses – at least not taking over the productivity left from Lillard. He gets some help with Norman Powell and now Anfernee Simmonscoming off the bench.

DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard will rotate against Jusuf Nurkic, but without the scoring threat of Davis up front the Lakers are suddenly much smaller. Powell comes off a 25-point night against the Pacers and has 20+ in three straight games.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Lakers +165
• Trail Blazers -195
• Lakers +4.5 (-105)
• Trail Blazers -4.5 (-115)
• Over 221 (-110)
• Under 221 (-110)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pacific vs. Northwest
• Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
• Venue: Moda Center
• Location: Portland, Oregon
• TV-Time: NBATV - 10:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-4
• ATS: 2-7
• O/U: 5-4

The Lakers get a ton of scoring volume from Davis and James – AD at 25.4 PPG and James is 24.8 PPG. Davis adds just under 12 RPG which leads the team by nearly four full rebounds. James is second on the team in assists with 7 APG.

Westbrook is the other main contributor across the board, averaging 20 PPG, 8.4 APG, and 8.1 RPG all shooting while 44%. The only other Lakers player to average double figures is Anthony at 17 PPG.

Portland Trail Blazers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 4-5
• ATS: 3-6
• O/U: 3-6

Normally we see Lillard atop the list of scoring leaders for the Blazers, but he’s fallen a bit, to third. McCollum is just under 24 PPG, averaging 4.2 RPG and 4 APG while shooting 45%. Powell is at 18 PPG adding just under 3 RPG.

Lillard is the story, he’s down to 17.8 PPG and 8.8 APG but is shooting just 33.7% from the floor. Simmons has stepped up off the bench averaging 14.4 PPG shooting 52% from the field. Nurkic adds the final piece of players in double-figures with 11.1 PPG but adds a team-leading 11.3 RPG.

Portland has won 17 of its last 18 games when facing the Lakers as the favorite. (AP)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Head-to-Head

The first matchup between these two teams will be Saturday night in Portland. The Blazers return home where they have a solid 4-1 record, as opposed to an 0-4 record on the road.

Key Players to Watch

• LAL: Anthony Davis - PF (25.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg)
• LAL: Carmelo Anthony - PF (17 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
• POR: Damian Lillard - PG (17.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 8.8 apg)
• POR: C.J. McCollum - SG (23.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg)

Injuries

• LAL: LeBron James - SF (Out)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Conclusion

This one just comes down to health and who is available for the Lakers. We know Lillard is available although his contributions are in question. One thing that isn’t with Dame is his ability to facilitate – even when missing the broad side of a barn with his shooting.

Westbrook might be down two top contributors – where a lot of his assists are going, whereas the Blazers can survive with Dame struggling to shoot as he’s already proven with his high assist numbers. Blazers cover that number, and if AD is out they blow out the Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends

• Los Angeles has gone OVER the point total in eight straight games when facing a team playing the second game of their back-to-back.
• Los Angeles has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 12 games

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