Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Odds and NBA Picks for Today

There is something particularly attractive about getting +135 in a basketball game with a total sitting at 236.5 and a point spread of that sits at a possession (-3 at time of writing with the Lakers installed as the favorite). This is precisely the sort of environment where I want to be taking plus money rather than laying a price or grabbing the bucket at juice. Think about it. We're looking at two offensively prolific outfits,with Los Angeles averaging 128 points per game and Portland producing 126 per tilt. The expectation is that both teams will put plenty of points on the board, creating an environment where scoring runs, three-point shooting, and momentum swings can have an enormous influence on the outcome. Variance, in other words.

Now consider the spread. Despite the Lakers being undefeated and playing at home, they're laying just 3 points. That's hardly an overwhelming endorsement of their superiority. How much of that number is simply the Lakers playing in the City of Angels? Put these teams on a neutral floor and we're looking at something resembling a pick'em. Under that scenario, the Blazers without question have value here because we are getting that same time at nearly 40 cents more to play the game in Los Angeles. While the high total doesn't guarantee an upset, it does suggest an offensively rich contest with plenty of opportunities for momentum to change hands. Taking Rip City on the Money Line presents the prospect of being paid handsomely to back a team that is perfectly capable of winning outright.

Trail Blazers vs Lakers prediction: Portland Trail Blazers +135 (ML) available at time of publishing. Playable to +125.