A potential postseason preview caps off Tuesday’s four-game NBA slate. The Trail Blazers (2-0) have come out hot, having won two straight. Now, Portland will face its biggest test yet: a road date with the Lakers (3-0). Los Angeles retooled its roster in a major way this offseason, building around face of the franchise Luka Doncic. So far, so good for the Purple and Gold. Which of these Western Conference squads will suffer its first loss of the season on Tuesday night?
The Lakers enter today’s matchup as 2.5-point favorites, with the total set at 233.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Tuesday’s Portland vs. Los Angeles contest.
Trail Blazers vs. Lakers prediction, preview
It’s difficult to read too much into a small sample size. With that being said, this Trail Blazers offense has the potential to be special. They’re currently averaging 126.0 points per game, second-best in the NBA. Five different members of the roster are putting up double-digit points, including All-Star Deni Avdija. However, the biggest name on this squad is Damian Lillard. The 36-year-old, now in his second stint with the franchise, has been terrific so far. Dame has accounted for 22.0 points and 4.0 assists per game along with 47/40/100 shooting splits. New acquisition Ja Morant hasn’t been quite as effective, but he’s still provided a spark out of the back court.
Portland’s crowded offense overshadows a group that has the potential to be respectable on defense. Donovan Clingan is the headliner down low, having just averaged 1.7 blocks per game last season. However, wing Toumani Camara might be the team’s most important defender. The lanky, 6’7″ forward can guard just about every position on the court when called upon. One area where Rip City has impressed is on the glass. The Blazers have snagged the NBA’s fourth-most rebounds per game (50.5). It’s not as if that’s a fluke, either. Portland ranked sixth in that category with 46.0 boards per game last season.
It’s all about Luka Doncic this season in Hollywood. With LeBron James’ departure, the Slovenian now has full control of this Lakers offense. So far, the results have been fantastic. Los Angeles has notched at least 125 points in all three of its early season contests. Doncic has recorded an eye-popping 34.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game during that time. Co-star Austin Reaves (26.7 PPG) has impressed as well, forming arguably the NBA’s best guard duo. Down low, new big man Walker Kessler has lived up to expectations. He’s posted 16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.
There’s obviously star power in Los Angeles. The bigger question for this group going forward is if it has enough depth to hold up over the course of a season. The Lakers are only averaging 30.0 points per game off the bench, sixth-lowest in basketball. However, LA’s reserves can impact the game on the other side of the ball. Rotation pieces such as Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes and former Blazer Matisse Thybulle are above-average wing defenders. This game will likely come down to the perimeter. Portland has held its opponents to just 7.0 three-pointers made per game, best in the association. In comparison, the Lakers are shooting an impressive 42.1% from beyond the arc, second-best in the NBA.
Best Bet: Lakers -2.5 (-108)
Neither of these clubs have faced elite competition to start the new season. However, it’s safe to say that the Lakers are a more proven roster. Portland’s perimeter defense has impressed, but I’m not sure it’s sustainable going forward. Doncic and Reaves are capable of picking this group apart from long distance. At home, Los Angeles feels like the safer play on Tuesday night.
