Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Pick
Will the host Portland Trail Blazers hold off the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night at 10PM EST?
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have made the Trail Blazers a 3-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 215 points.
Portland is 3-1 on the season after a 103-93 home win over the Pelicans. Los Angeles comes in at 3-0 following a 102-84 home victory versus the Jazz. The Clippers won two of three meetings last season straight up and against the spread. The total went over in two games.
Los Angeles was led by Blake Griffin in the win over the Jazz as he tallied 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Patrick Beverley had 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Austin Rivers scored 16 points. Danilo Gallinari added 14 points and six rebounds. The Clippers led 42-41 at halftime and then pulled away by outscoring Utah 33-15 in the third quarter.
In the Blazers’ win, CJ McCollum had 23 points to go with four rebounds and two assists. Damian Lillard contributed 13 points, seven assists and five boards. Ed Davis added 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Portland outscored New Orleans 32-20 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
The over is 15-6-2 in the last 23 meetings in Portland. The Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six Thursday games dating back to last season.
Bet on Clippers vs. Trail Blazers
Both teams have begun the season well as they’ve stacked up three wins each in the loaded Western Conference. The Trail Blazers have a great homecourt advantage, but the Clippers are on a mission to prove they are still one of the better teams in the NBA. While the loss of Milos Teodosic to a foot injury is significant for LA, its defense is still there as is the imposing interior duo of Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Take the Clippers as a small dog.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +3