Emotions will be running high at Staples Center as the Lakers play their first game since Sunday’s tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant and eight others. The visiting Trail Blazers, who have won three of four overall, have covered 10 of their last 12 road games against the Lakers.
- Date/Time: January 31, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Staples Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN, SportsNet LA, NBC Sports Northwest, TSN
- Sportsbook Odds: Lakers -10.5 / O/U 228.5
- Blazers vs Lakers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
We’re all Lakers fans these days, and there’s been plenty of betting support for Los Angeles in this one. LA had been up to 12-point chalk as of Thursday night.
Portland News & Notes
You know Damian Lillard’s been on fire when his first career triple-double comes on a night that he cooled off. After averaging nearly 53 points per game over his previous three outings, Lillard was “held” to 36 points on 11-for-21 shooting in Wednesday’s 125-112 win over the Rockets.
However, the Trail Blazers point guard filled out the rest of the stat sheet with 10 rebounds and 11 assists — the third time he’s doled out 10-plus dimes in his last six — and secured his triple-double on an offensive tip in the final minute. He also remained red-hot from behind the arc, knocking down six of 12 attempts to improve to 33-for-59 from distance in his last four.
With Lillard playing at such a high level, the Blazers have filled the net to the tune of 125-plus points in four straight outings, three of them wins. Portland’s gone OVER in six of its last eight games, the only two exceptions coming against Houston when the totals were set at 236.5 and 242.5. However, the Blazers haven’t enjoyed nearly as much offensive success lately on the road, going UNDER in 10 of their last 14 away from home.
Los Angeles News & Notes
It’s hard to know how the Lakers will respond in their first game following Sunday’s tragedy. LA players had yet to talk to the media about Bryant’s death as of Thursday night, and it’s been speculated that they might not talk to reporters until after Friday’s contest against the Blazers.
Coach Frank Vogel, who was the only representative of the team to speak to the media Wednesday and Thursday, tried to lighten the mood Thursday by having the team play soccer and football together outside before practice. “There’s always therapeutic benefits to sunshine and being outside in fresh air,” Vogel said.
The mood will be much more somber before tipoff Friday as the Lakers hold a pregame tribute to Bryant, his daughter and the other victims of the helicopter crash. After that, they can finally get back on the court and try to snap out of a recent funk that has seen them go 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS in their last six.
Not only are the Lakers playing their first game since Saturday’s 108-91 loss in Philadelphia, but they’re also playing their first game at Staples Center since a 119-118 loss to the Magic on January 15. LA is 11-6 ATS in its last 17 home games following a road trip of four games or more, and the UNDER is 7-1 in the Lakers’ last eight in that situation.
Betting Pick: UNDER 230.5
In the Lakers’ first game in nearly a week, I’m expecting some rust to show on the offensive end of the floor.
- The Blazers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
- The OVER is 7-2 in the Lakers’ last 9 games.
- The Lakers are 1st in the NBA in field-goal percentage.
