Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Pick
Are the desperate Los Angeles Clippers a smart underdog bet tonight when they go on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers at 10:30PM ET?
517 Los Angeles Clippers at 518 Portland Trail Blazers, 10:30PM ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Trail Blazers are a 6.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 218.5 points.
Bet Tonight’s NBA Action For Friday, March 30, 2018
LINE MOVEMENT
Portland opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the total has dropped a point after opening at 219.5. The spread is at -6.5 almost everywhere, but can be shopped for at -6. The total is 218.5 at almost every book, but is also available at 218.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of Friday afternoon, 60 percent of public bets are being placed on the Clippers. Online wager info also shows that 64 percent of bets are siding with the over.
INJURY TO WATCH
Los Angeles center DeAndre Jordan (ankle) is probable to play tonight. Small forward Danilo Gallinari (hand) is questionable. Point guard Milos Teodosic (heel) is doubtful. Shooting guard Avery Bradley (hernia) is out until early May, while point guard Patrick Beverley (knee) is out for the season. For the Trail Blazers, point guard Damian Lillard (personal) is probable. Small forward Maurice Harkless (knee) is out until mid-April. Shooting guard CJ Wilcox (knee) is out indefinitely.
BETTING STRATEGY
The Clippers are one game out of the eighth playoff spot with seven games to play, so there is very little room for error. Los Angeles is clearly motivated to sneak into the postseason as they have won three in a row and four of their last five, including three victories on the road. The Clippers won the first meeting in Portland by a score of 104-103 back on Oct. 27, while the Trail Blazers have secured 104-96 and 122-109 victories in LA since the calendar turned. I’m going to roll the dice with Los Angeles here as they have a little more on the line with Portland having a little wiggle room right now as it tries to hold onto the third seed.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +6.5