Blazers vs. Lakers NBA expert prediction and odds for Sunday, Jan. 21 (Bet on Portland)
By Peter Dewey
The Portland Trail Blazers picked up a huge win on Friday night over the Indiana Pacers, and they are looking to keep that rolling as double-digit underdogs against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
The Lakers lost outright as seven-point favorites against Brooklyn on Friday, and they have fallen to just 7-10 against the spread as home favorites – despite a 15-8 mark at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are questionable for this game, but it’s hard to see the Lakers sitting either player since the team is fighting for a play-in tournament spot still at this point in the season.
Can Portland cover the spread on Sunday or should bettors look to fade Chauncey Billups’ squad?
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Here are the latest odds and my best bet for this matchup:
Blazers vs. Lakers odds, spread and total
Blazers vs. Lakers how to watch
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 21
- Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena
- How to watch (TV): Spectrum SportsNet, Root Sports Northwest
- Blazers record: 12-29
- Lakers record: 21-22
Blazers vs. Lakers injury reports
Blazers injury report
- Moses Brown – out
- Scoot Henderson – questionable
- Shaedon Sharpe – out
- Anfernee Simons – questionable
- Robert Williams III – out
Lakers injury report
- Anthony Davis – questionable
- LeBron James – questionable
- Gabe Vincent – out
- Taurean Prince – questionable
- Cam Reddish – probable
Blazers vs. Lakers key players to watch
Portland Trail Blazers
Jerami Grant: Jerami Grant has put up 30 and 37 points in his last two games, pushing his season average to 21.8 points per game. The Blazers don’t have a lot this season, but Grant has still played at a high level, making him an interesting trade candidate going forward. With Anfernee Simons questionable, Grant could be in line for another big game tonight.
Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis: The Blazers rank 26th in the NBA in points in the paint allowed per game, so this could be a big matchup for Anthony Davis against Deandre Ayton, Duop Reath, and Ibou Badji down low.
This season, Davis is averaging 25.2 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, scoring at least 26 points in three straight contests.
Blazers vs. Lakers prediction and pick
Portland hasn't been great against the spread this season as a road underdog, going just 10-12 ATS, but the Lakers haven’t been much better than the Blazers over the last 10 games.
Portland is dead last in net rating over that stretch, but the Lakers are 23rd. Portland has suffered a bunch of blowout losses, but it has won back-to-back games and has a major upgrade at center with Ayton returning from an injury.
With the Lakers struggling to win – even against inferior opponents – I don’t mind taking the points here.
The Lakers have struggled overall against the spread this season, even when they’re winning at home.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.