The Los Angeles Clippers (0-2) host the Portland Trail Blazers (1-1) Monday at Staples Center for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Trail Blazers vs. Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Portland evened their regular-season record after clubbing the Phoenix Suns 134-105 Saturday. Blazers SG C.J. McCollum scored a game-high 28 points on 52.6% field goal shooting and Portland dominated Phoenix in all “four factors” .
L.A. lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 120-114 as 4-point home favorites in its last outing. Paul George balled out by scoring 41 points on 60.0% shooting with 10 rebounds and 4 assists but didn’t get enough help from his supporting cast.
The Clippers won all three regular-season meetings against the Trail Blazers last season and covered in two of three victories.
PG lit up Portland last season, averaging over 30.0 points per game (PPG) on 73.1% true shooting (.582/.462/.889), 8.0 rebounds (RPG) and 5.0 assists per game (APG) with a plus-23 net rating in those three meetings.
On the other hand, Damian Lillard struggled vs. L.A., scoring just 15.5 PPG on 41.1% true shooting (.179/.071/.909) in his two appearances against the Clippers last year.
Trail Blazers at Clippers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:40 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Trail Blazers +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Clippers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Trail Blazers +2.5 (-105) | Clippers -2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Trail Blazers at Clippers key injuries
Trail Blazers
- SG Norman Powell (knee) out
- SF Tony Snell (foot) out
Clippers
- PF Serge Ibaka (back) out
- SF Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
Trail Blazers at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Trail Blazers 117, Clippers 111
Money line
L.A. doesn’t have the same defensive identity it has in recent seasons with Kawhi sidelined by injury and former PG Patrick Beverley leaving in free agency this offseason.
Both were two of the best perimeter defenders in the association and crucial to the Clippers more or less shutting down Dame Time last season. Not only does L.A. not have said defensive identity but guard Reggie Jackson isn’t an above-average starter and could be in trouble against Lillard.
Slight “LEAN” to the TRAIL BLAZERS (+122) for a tiny wager if at all since Portland plus the points is a much wiser bet and Clippers head coach Ty Lue has the edge over Trail Blazers rookie head coach Chauncey Billups.
Against the spread
BET the TRAIL BLAZERS +2.5 (-105) heavier than or instead of Portland’s money line.
My read on the Clippers is their stock is too high because the market is overemphasizing their awesome playoff performance last year when Kawhi was sidelined with a knee injury.
Lue did an awesome job and maybe continues to do so this season. However, counting on players like Jackson, forward Marcus Morris and guard Luke Kennard could mean the Clippers struggle to have a winning record.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 230.5 (-112) for a quarter-unit because it’s the “sharp” side in the total but I wouldn’t put a heavy wager on the Under since we are getting the worst of the number.
This is a “Pros vs. Joe’s” scenario in the betting market as nearly 60% of the cash is on the Under but roughly two-thirds of the bets placed are on the Over, according to Pregame.com.
The presumed “sharp” side of the market has forced oddsmakers to move the Trail Blazers-Clippers total down from the 234-point opener. So, while the Under is the play, a lot of the value is gone.
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