Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
29 November 2022
Another year rolls through and it seems like the Los Angeles Clippers can’t get away from injuries. They’re out several players again this week, including their top two players.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been ruled out for this game. The question is, can the surrounding players step up and fill the gaps left behind?
The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t dealing with as many injuries, but they’re still without Keon Johnson. This shouldn’t affect them too much, but it’s something to definitely keep in mind.
After losing four of their last five games, the Trail Blazers desperately need a win. Their most recent win was an overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
Los Angeles Clippers: How can LAC overcome the injuries?
The biggest question that we have heading into this game is how will the Clippers deal with the injuries. They’re going to be without Luke Kennard, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and John Wall.
These are all players that can lead the offense and put points on the board. Without them, the Clippers are bound to be in a really tough spot.
As a team, the Clippers average just 106.4 points per game (ppg). As one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NBA, it’s hard to imagine them getting out of this one.
Without players like Leonard and Wall, their defense is bound to suffer too. Paul George is their leading scorer, averaging 23.6 points per game. So, where does that leave them in terms of covering the spread?
Portland Trail Blazers: Trail Blazers desperately need a win
If there’s one thing that the Trail Blazers need right now, it’s a victory. The good news for them is they come in at a massive advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Portland has just one player listed on the injury report, and it's SG Keon Johnson. Sure, he’ll be missed, but he’s not the focal point of their offense. That title is currently Afernee Simons, who averages 23.2 ppg.
The Trail Blazers average 109.7 points per game, only slightly more than the Clippers. They’re ranked ninth in the NBA in points allowed, giving up just 110.3.
As we mentioned above, however, they won’t have to worry about the Clippers' best players. Because of this, their defense should hold up well against Los Angeles’ backups.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
In our opinion, this one comes down to injuries, and the Clippers have too many. If Paul George was playing, perhaps it’d be a different story.
However, Paul George isn’t playing, and neither is Kawhi Leonard. That takes a big chunk out of their offense and their defense.
This is the Trail Blazers’ game to win, and it’s sitting right in front of them. If they can capitalize on their offensive opportunities, they should do well here.
Their defense is strong enough to hold back the Clippers without their top scorers. They also only need to cover 3.5 points tonight.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Portland Trail Blazers -3.5, UNDER
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
