Clippers vs Trail Blazers Prediction and Betting Tips 4 Dec 2024 - NBA Prediction
NLB Staff
03.12.2024 00:29
Clippers vs Trail Blazers Prediction
Going into this game, the Los Angeles Clippers continue looking like one of the most underrated squads in NBA play, while Portland has shown immense growth through this early part post-rebuild. As this Clippers squad came off a tough 93-92 loss to Minnesota, Portland just pulled off a shocking 9-point win against Sacramento. This game will occur on December 4th at 9:00 A.M. IST in the Intuit Dome of Los Angeles. Below are our key betting tips, vital head-to-head matchups, top player props, and important injuries to make an accurate prediction for this game.
Clippers vs Trail Blazers Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Moneyline Pick
With the money line being at -410 for Los Angeles, they should win it with ease due to their greatness as an all-around squad. Led by one of the better-scoring backcourts with Kris Dunn and James Harden, that duo should have more points than Scoot Henderson plus Shaedeon Sharpe. As Amir Coffey starts at small forward, his abilities should outplay Toumani Camara in all the statistical numbers. Having a frontcourt with Derrick Jones Jr. and Ivica Zubac will help this Clippers unit get more rebounds and inside layups than Portland’s De’Andre Ayton plus Jerami Grant. Therefore, the Clippers should win their -410 money line and 10th in 11 games vs Portland.
2. Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Point Spread Pick
Seeing that the spread is -8.5 for Los Angeles, they should win this game due to their greatness on both ends. Having a strong point guard in James Harden who could drive in with ease, his ability to finish inside plus find others continues showing leadership. Being a much bigger body than Scoot Henderson, he should drive by him and score a lot of baskets, while also being someone who can create space from outside. Knowing that Harden has a great pair of hands to create turnovers and push it down the other end, he will give Los Angeles a lot of extra opportunities. Although Shaedeon Sharpe will have a massive scoring advantage against Kris Dunn, the Clippers SG's ability to get key rebounds and make passes should help him keep this matchup close. As Toumani Camara is someone who can only really drive through the lanes to finish, Amir Coffey is a way more efficient scorer that provides opportunities from everywhere. Knowing that Coffey can grab rebounds over Camara as well, Derrick Jones Jr.'s aggressive mentality as a defender will limit Jerami Grant’s scoring. With Ivica Zubac being a much stronger rebounder plus finisher than De’Andre Ayton, the -8.5 spread pick for Los Angeles is great.
3. Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
As the over/under in this game is at 217.5 points, both teams should have a good amount of scoring from their key players. With Portland having one of the best shooting guards that can create from anywhere, their small forward has shown growth as a driver to the basket. Knowing that their power forward is a mid-range machine, this group has a center that can finish inside with ease. Having a couple of vital pieces of the bench, they play a Los Angeles unit led by one of the strongest point guards in NBA play. Seeing that their shooting guard can knock down the three-ball, this unit’s power forward has a great knack for dunking with ease. With their center being a constant scoring threat inside, this game should go somewhere around 229 points from last time.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Top Player Props
James Harden over 21.5 points at 1.85: As the Clippers point guard continues being a great finisher inside, his ability to knock down outside shots has been a vital part of his game as well. With his matchup against a struggling Scoot Henderson, Harden should have great ability to dribble past him and hit midrange looks too. With James Harden averaging 21.5 points a night, he should go over this in the matchup.
Shaedeon Sharpe over 15.5 points at 1.71: Seeing that this Portland shooting guard has strong skills to knock down deep shots from beyond the arc, his greatness should be on full display once again. As his matchup is against Kris Dunn, Sharpe should use dribbling skills to create space for great looks. Someone who averages 17.7 points a night, should continue his elite prowess entering this matchup.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Injury News & Impact
Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: As Kawhi Leonard, 23.7 points last year, is still out with his knee injury, this group will still miss a key two-way threat in Norman Powell. Not having Kevin Porter Jr. in the matchup will cause Bones Hyland to have an extended role.
Portland Trail Blazers Injuries: With Robert Williams III still out due to his concussion, this Portland squad will also be without Matisse Thybulle at shooting guard as their defensive presence, having a right ankle sprain. Donovan Clingan, 6.7 rebounds, and a knee injury, will force De’Andre Ayton to play more minutes as a less strong board-getter, while this group could be without Kris Murray again.
Clippers vs Trail Blazers Head-to-Head Trends
Although Portland won the last matchup, Los Angeles has dominated it for the most of recent history by having a 9-game winning streak before that. Looking to build on that, this Clippers unit should score over 100 points after doing it 10 matchups in a row, while they have averaged 115.3 points in their previous 3. Being 9-1 against the spread vs Portland over their last 10 games, this Clippers unit looks to continue making that record look even stronger.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the public trends, Los Angeles is backed by 80.4% of bettors to beat Portland in this matchup.
Clippers vs Trail Blazers Final Prediction
As the Los Angeles Clippers have continued on a role by being a very strong team no matter who they have out there, they hope to keep it going against a weaker Portland squad. Seeing that their ability to play offense and defense is top-tier, this Los Angeles unit will be led by James Harden once again. A guard that can provide all-around scoring and a great ability to find the open man, his greatness in driving in will be on display after having a huge size advantage against Scoot Henderson. Knowing that Henderson has not been great on either side of the floor this season, Harden’s defense will cause steals plus traps to push it down the other end. Being a good rebounder as well, he should dominate Henderson during this game. Although Shaedeon Sharpe has an advantage for Portland scoring-wise at shooting guard, Kris Dunn’s ability to get boards plus assists is a huge advantage over him. As Dunn can score a few points due to Henderson’s defense as well, this battle will be more tightly contested than expected.
With Amir Coffey at small forward for Los Angeles, his prowess as an all-around scorer is something that can control Toumani Camara. Knowing that Camara is someone who can mostly just drive in for layups, Coffey will use side-to-side defense and a length advantage to force him into more high-risk deeper shots. Seeing that Amir Coffey has been a strong blocker as well, he will have numerous blocks near the hoop to close out Camara in this game. As Derrick Jones Jr. remains a strong power forward for this Clippers unit, his ability to rebound plus block will outduel Jermai Grant and limit his offensive performance. With Ivica Zubac being a much stronger finisher inside who can create extra positions through boards over De’Andre Ayton, the Clippers should have vital bench pieces like Jordan Miller and Nicolas Batum make a huge impact. Portland can keep it close if Duop Reath and Anfernee Simmons come up big for them.
Our prediction: Los Angeles Clippers win and cover their -8.5 spread, while the score goes over 217.5 points.
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