By Canadian Press on February 20, 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers (32-21, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (23-32, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -3.5; over/under is 226.5 BOTTOM LINE: Portland will try to keep its six-game home win streak intact when the Trail Blazers play Los Angeles. The Trail Blazers are 14-27 against Western Conference opponents. Portland is ninth in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing only 114.8 points while holding opponents to 47.6% shooting. The Lakers are 20-12 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles is sixth in the Western Conference allowing just 112.2 points while holding opponents to 46.5% shooting. The Trail Blazers are shooting 45.1% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 46.5% the Lakers allow to opponents. The Lakers average 12.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 fewer makes per game than the Trail Blazers allow. TOP PERFORMERS: Anfernee Simons is averaging 18.6 points and five assists for the Trail Blazers. Deni Avdija is averaging 15.6 points over the last 10 games. Luka Doncic is shooting 45.4% and averaging 26.5 points for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 6-4, averaging 115.6 points, 44.6 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.0 points per game. Lakers: 7-3, averaging 119.2 points, 45.4 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.3 points. INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Robert Williams III: day to day (knee), Deandre Ayton: out (calf), Matisse Thybulle: out (ankle), Jerami Grant: day to day (knee), Scoot Henderson: day to day (ankle). Lakers: Maxi Kleber: out (foot). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. The Associated Press 18