Trail Blazers vs Lakers Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 28 October

Only one of the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers will still be unbeaten after Wednesday 28 October, with tip-off at Crypto.com Arena at 4:00pm NZT. The Lakers are 3-0 and Luka Doncic has just dropped 52 on Utah.

Portland are 2-0 with the best net rating in the league. It’s also a year to the day since they won 122-108 at this arena, and I think this is one of the trickier NBA predictions of the week.

Odds from Betovo, correct at 9:00pm NZT, 26 October. Subject to change.

Portland Trail Blazers

Last 5: L-L-L-W-W · Record: 2-0 · ATS: 2-0

Who would have thought Portland would come out of the gate so fast? They thrashed Phoenix 124-83 on opening night, then rallied from five down at half-time in Sacramento with a 44-26 third quarter.

Damian Lillard and Ja Morant can both take over a game, but Deni Avdija is still their hub. He’s averaging 22 points and gets to the free-throw line a lot. Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III give them real size on the glass as well.

Los Angeles Lakers

Last 5: L-L-W-W-W · Record: 3-0 · ATS: 2-1

Life after LeBron James has started well. Doncic is averaging 34.3 points, and Austin Reaves has scored 57 across the last two games. Their offence ranks first in the league.

Their defence is different though. Utah put up 47 points in the first quarter on Sunday and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. Walker Kessler protects the rim, but the schedule worries me more, with the Clippers waiting the very next night.

(1) Sharpe has a meniscus injury and isn’t expected back before 2 March at the earliest.
(2) Youngblood is listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury.
(3) Carlson is day-to-day while he goes through the league’s concussion protocol.
(4) Thiero is out with a knee injury, and the Lakers haven’t confirmed a return date.
(5) Carr is out with an oblique injury.

Sharpe is a big out, but Portland have averaged 126 points without him, so it doesn’t change my view on the Line.

Portland won last season’s series 2-1, including a 132-116 win in their most recent meeting in January.

• H2H trend – The last three meetings all went over the total.
• Team trend – Portland went 45-37 ATS last season.
• Totals trend – Two of the Lakers’ three games this season have gone over.
• Player trend – Doncic is averaging five made threes a game.

I’m tipping Portland in this one. Their defence has been far better than the Lakers’ so far, and they’ve had three days off while the Lakers play again the next night in Inglewood.

Doncic can beat anyone on his own when he gets going. But Utah exposed the Lakers on the offensive glass, and Clingan and Williams can do the same thing.

It’s a tight call, and I wouldn’t be shocked by a Lakers win. Anyone who’s tried to bet on NBA form in October knows how fast it changes. I also like the Over 231.5 with two offences scoring this freely.

My prediction: Trail Blazers 118-115.

Trail Blazers +1.5 Line – $1.90

Portland only need to avoid losing by two or more, and I think they win this outright.

They’ve had more rest, and their size can hurt the Lakers on the offensive glass.

You can back Trail Blazers +1.5 at $1.90 with Betista. If you’ve got free bets to use, this is a decent spot for one.

Play to: $1.80

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