Clippers vs. Trail Blazers NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, March 22 (Run it back with LA as a favorite)
NBA betting preview, prediction and best bet for Clippers-Trail Blazers.
The Clippers had lost four of five games heading into Wednesday, but had a perfect get-right spot against the Trail Blazers, pulling away for a 116-103 road win.
Los Angeles is back in the Moda Center Friday night for the second time in three days trying to sweep the season series against the lowly Blazers.
Can the Clippers pull away as a double-digit favorite? Portland’s downward spiral has been season-long, but has hit its peak since the All-Star Break.
The Trail Blazers went winless in February and have lost eight of their last 10 games since a two-game winning streak to start March. Here’s the betting breakdown of the matchup with a best bet.
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Clippers vs. Trail Blazers odds, spread and total
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers how to watch
- Date: Friday, March 22
- Game time: 10 p.m. EST
- Venue: Moda Center
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
- Clippers record: 43-25
- Trail Blazers record: 19-50
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers injury report
Los Angeles Clippers
- Norman Powell (leg): questionable
- Terance Mann (shoulder sprain): questionable
Portland Trail Blazers
- Matisse Thybulle (ankle): questionable
- Anfernee Simons (knee): probable
- Jerami Grant (hamstring): doubtful
- Malcolm Brogdon (elbow): out
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers key players to watch
Los Angeles Clippers
Daniel Theis: The 6-foot-8 center got 20 minutes of run in Wednesday’s win over Portland to counter the Trail Blazers’ frontcourt size. Theis hadn’t scored in back-to-back games, but turned in 10 points and 5 rebound. We’ll see if he gets an extended workload again Friday to pack the paint for the Clippers.
Portland Trail Blazers
Anfernee Simons: The former first-round pick is probable to suit up Friday after scoring 14 points in the loss to Los Angeles on Wednesday. In the previous three games before that loss, Simons poured in a combined 91 points with 14 three-pointers and 25 assists.
Clippers vs. Trail Blazers prediction and pick
The Clippers have been great as a road favorite this season, going 14-10 ATS, and have a defense that has traveled well, too. On Wednesday, Los Angeles was able to limit a lifeless Portland offense to 103 points by forcing 17 turnovers and permitting just eight offensive rebounds.
Los Angeles is top-10 in road scoring defense and the Trail Blazers actually had a decent night Wednesday from beyond the arc (15-of-34). Don’t expect that to continue as the Trail Blazers are the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA and last in effective field goal percentage.
Offensively, Los Angeles had struggled over its 1-4 stretch but found a cure in the Portland defense, which is No. 22 in net rating. The Clipper shot 52.3% from the field in Wednesday’s win with its Big 3 (Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden) combining for 65 points on 26-of-45 shooting.
You can expect more of the same in Friday’s rematch for a Los Angeles team that loves to steamroll bad squads (23-4 straight up against teams with a losing record). Run it back with the Clippers and lay the points.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.