Los Angeles at Portland NBA Betting Guide

On Friday night, the L.A. Clippers visit Portland for Game 6 of their Western Conference quarterfinal round. This series has changed dramatically since the Clippers dominated Games 1 and 2, though, as Blake Griffin is out indefinitely with a quad injury and Chris Paul fractured his hand. With these two key pieces out, the Clippers could not hold off the Trail Blazers in Game 5, losing at home by the score of 108-98. Find out the latest NBA odds here.

Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers NBA Betting Guide

When: Friday, April 29, 2016, 10:30pm Eastern time Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR TV: ESPN Radio: Rip City Radio 620 AM Portland Live Stream: NBA-Stream.com NBA Odds: TBA    

Why should you bet on Los Angeles?

Even with Griffin and Paul out, the Clippers led well into the third quarter, thanks to cold shooting from the Trail Blazers. Los Angeles has the bench and the role players to compete with Portland unless the Trail Blazers are on their game offensively. They held Damian Lillard scoreless throughout the first half, and while he finished with 22, 16 of those came in the fourth quarter. If the Clippers can keep the defensive clamps on the Trail Blazers for the whole game, they can get the win.

Why should you put your money on the Trail Blazers?

C.J. McCollum is showing why he has earned the league’s Most Improved Player award this season. He stepped up with Lillard playing cold ball and posted 27 in the game. The Blazers showed a lot of balance, with Maurice Harkless scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 boards, and Mason Plumlee posting 10 points and  pulling down 15 rebounds. Lillard hit five threes in the fourth quarter as Portland won the period, 37-27. If Portland can play with confidence in Game 6, the Clippers will be heading to the golf course.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like the Trail Blazers to take advantage of the Clippers’ shortened roster at home and finish this series. I’m predicting a 110-101 Portland win.