LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers betting odds and picks

Tipoff at 7:30pm PT (10:30pm ET)

Los Angeles Lakers
Moneyline odds: -175 at Bovada Betting line: -3.5 at -111.11 Record (ATS): 19-3 (13-9)

Portland Trail Blazers
Moneyline odds: +155 at Bovada Betting line: +3.5 at -111.11 Record (ATS): 9-13 (10-11)

The LA Lakers head north to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in a marquee matchup featuring LeBron James and the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Carmelo Anthony.

The Melo experiment did not start so well, but the Blazers have won four of their last five games and the team recently guaranteed his contract for the rest of the season.

SEE ALSO: BEST NBA BETTING SITES

The Lakers have won two in a row since having their 10-game winning streak snapped. They are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best record in the NBA at 19-3.

This is the first game between these teams this season. The Blazers are 23-10 ATS in their last 33 home games facing the Lakers.

LA come into this game after an impressive 121-96 road win over the Utah Jazz. They were solid on both ends of the floor, shooting 51.1% from the field while holding the Jazz to a FG% of 41%. Anthony Davis and LeBron James combined for 46 points, while Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo came off the bench to combine for 27 points.

Bovada

$250

Claim a 50% deposit bonus up to the value of USD $250

read review Bet Now

The Lakers rank 12th in the league in ppg, but their defense is why they are tied for the best record in the NBA. They rank second in points allowed per game, behind only the Denver Nuggets.

Davis leads the Lakers in scoring (26 ppg) and rebounding (9.1.rpg). He had three straight double-doubles before the last game, where he had six rebounds. King James (25.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 10.8 apg) is in the MVP discussion once again and leads the NBA in assists.

In their last game, the Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 127-116. They shot a scorching 56% from the floor, 50% from beyond the three-point arc (16/32), and outscored the Kings in each of the final three quarters. Four of five starters for Portland scored at least 20 points, led by CJ McCollum with 33.

Damian Lillard and McCollum are averaging 26.6 ppg and 22.4 ppg respectively, while Anthony is averaging 16.9 ppg. Melo had his worst game of the season in the recent loss to the Clippers, who have a good defensive team like the Lakers. He has to help out in the scoring department in this game, as the Blazers will need to win with their offense and light it up since their defense ranks 23rd in the league.

Hassan Whiteside (15.3 ppg, 12.6 rpg) is having a great first season with the Blazers. His play will be key on the defensive end of the floor, as the Lakers have a lot of height inside and he has to be a rim protector.

LA Lakers betting predictions

• Lakers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a road favorite
• Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight-up win of more than 10 points
• Lakers have an Under record of 6-1 in their last seven games

Portland Trail Blazers betting predictions

• Blazers are 7-2-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog
• Blazers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games after an ATS win
• Blazers have an Over record of 25-8-1 in their last 34 home games

Lakers vs Blazers head-to-head trends

• Blazers are 23-10 ATS in their last 33 home games against the Lakers
• Blazers are 45-20 ATS in their last 65 games against the Lakers
• In the last 10 games between these teams, the Under record is 7-3
• In the last seven games between these teams in Portland, the Over record is 5-2

Lakers @ Blazers NBA betting picks

Los Angeles Lakers -3.5 at -111.11 with Bovada

While the Melo story has lit a fire under Portland, the flames may flitter out on Friday. The Blazers are simply not a good team on defense and the Lakers will light up the scoreboard. On the other side of the coin, the Lakers have a great defense and will keep Portland from putting up numbers.