The Los Angeles Lakers open their 2018-19 NBA campaign against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday 10/18/18 at Portland’s Moda Center as the King James era officially begins in Los Angeles.
The Lakers landed the biggest fish in the 2018 free agency market when they signed LeBron James to a 4 year deal worth $154M. James arrival in Hollywood is seen as the turning point of a Lakers franchise which has struggled since the retirement of the legendary Kobe Bryant.
Even at age 32, James is coming off one of his best seasons ever where he set career highs in rebounds and assists while having his best scoring season since 2012. But after his Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals, James decided to leave Cleveland a second time.
Record-wise, the Lakers didn’t do well in the preseason but that was probably more by design. Luke Walton tinkered on his versatile line-up the entire time and opted to play LeBron on minutes restriction. While this team has the potential to be a playoff contender, their main weakness aside from chemistry is their ability to play defense and close out on shooters. They need especially the latter against Portland’s sweet shooting backcourt.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers 10/18/18
Moneyline Odds: Lakers +140, Blazers -160
Odds from Sportsbetting.ag as of 10/18/18
The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off a season where they finished 3rd place in the ultra competitive Western Conference. Despite having home court advantage in Round 1, the Blazers were eliminated by the New Orleans Pelicans. The defeat also marked the second straight season where the Blazers were swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Portland kept their 2017-18 lineup intact, hoping this time around, they do better in the playoffs. Aside from Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers will lean on Jusuf Nurkic, Al Farouq Aminu, Evan Turner, Miles Leonard and Maurice Harkless. Harkless though is questionable for this game with a knee injury.
Lillard was the difference in two of the Blazers three wins over the Lakers last season. He scored 32 points and the game winner during their November 3, 2017 encounter and then scored 39 points including 19 in the 4th period during the Blazers win on December 24, 2017. Look for Lillard to take charge again on Thursday for the Blazers.
The Blazers have won 15 straight games against the Lakers although last season, they won thrice at an average winning margin of 3.66 points per game with no game decided by more than five points. If we base our predictions on last season’s series, the Lakers have a good chance here because while the Blazers kept their lineup intact, the Lakers’ roster has significantly improved since they last met.
LeBron James is the best player in the planet and there is no one on the Blazers’ side who can guard him or match his abilities. James saw limited minutes in preseason and that was by design. But in the short period of time he played, he showed what huge difference he makes when he’s on the floor. This is what he came here for and King James is going to get his minutes and the rest of the teams should feed off him the way we saw in preseason play.
Defensively, we saw the Lakers’ struggles in preseason but we know that guys like Rondo, Stephenson, McGee and LeBron James have been excellent defensive players in their careers. I have the feeling that Los Angeles is going to show strut their wares on both ends of the floor and send an early message to the league that they aren’t just reel but that they are for real. Sure, there will be growing pains but I have faith in the King.
We’re picking the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Portland Trail Blazers on 10/18/18.
Los Angeles is 9-22 ATS in their last 31 games in Portland and 17-44 ATS in their last 61 games overall against the Blazers. The Blazers are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games at home and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers 10/18/18
Spread Odds: Lakers +3 (-105), Blazers -3 (-115)
Odds from Sportsbetting.ag as of 10/18/18
The trends point to Portland for whatever they are worth considering facing this version of the Lakers is like facing a new franchise for the first time because of the Lakers’ significant roster changes. As we’ve discussed earlier, LeBron James puts this matchup back to square one. And even if you think that the Lakers are still going to have chemistry problems and growing pains, just think of how close this matchup has been without James last season. I think it’s wise to take the plus three points and go with the Purple and Gold.
Prediction: Lakers +3
The total has gone over in 10 out of the last 15 games played by Los Angeles but has gone under in four out of the last five home games for the Blazers.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers 10/18/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 222 -115/Under 222 -105
Odds from Sportsbetting.ag as of 10/18/18
The Lakers and Blazers have combined to score 220 points in only three out of their last 17 head to head meetings, including once in the last six games. And although we’ve been saying that this is an entirely different Lakers team with explosive offensive firepower, the Blazers have historically played good defense at the Moda Center, holding the Lakers to under 100 points in half of their last six meetings there. Unless this game goes to overtime, I think both teams score in the 100s but not enough to combine for 222.
Prediction: Under 222
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