The Clippers had their two-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a disappointing 14-point loss to the struggling Miami Heat. Doc Rivers’ men will look for a pick-me-up win this coming Wednesday, but will face the ultimate test when they host the streaking Portland Trail Blazers who are fresh off an emphatic 12-point victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Read on below for a preview of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
Where: Moda Center, Portland
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Clippers (+3.5) at Portland Trail Blazers (-3.5); total: 205.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers ended their nine-game home stand on a sour note as they suffered an embarrassing 104-90 defeat to the Miami Heat on Sunday. It was a disappointing night for the Clippers who had won two straight games and six of their previous eight outings at Staples Center prior to their meeting with the Heat.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Clippers had no answer for Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade who combined for 51 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists for the Heat. The main thorn in the Clippers’ side, however, was unheralded center Hassan Whiteside, who exploded for 23 points and 16 rebounds in that game.
What made the defeat so exasperating for Clippers coach Doc Rivers was the fact that they enjoyed a huge lead against Miami in the opening juncture of the game. The Clippers, known for its fast starts this season, raced to a quick 13-point advantage against Miami in the first quarter but saw its lead disappear in an instant thanks to the stellar offensive play of Bosh and co.
Not helping matters for the Clips was their failure to crash the boards. They were outrebounded by the Heat, 46-27, thanks in large part to Whiteside’s heroics. It won’t get any easier for them this coming Wednesday, as they will next face the Portland Trail Blazers who are the league’s best rebounding team this season, averaging 46.5 boards per game.
The onus is on DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin to impose their will down low against the Blazers. The duo grabbed just 12 boards in their loss to the Heat, way below their combined season average of 21.2 rebounds per game.
If the Clippers manage to control the glass against the Blazers, that will make things much easier for Chris Paul in terms of dictating the tempo and orchestrating the offense for Los Angeles. Paul is fourth in the NBA in assists this season, averaging 9.6 dimes per game.
The Clippers are 0-5 in their last five games on the road.
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Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak to four games with a resounding 106-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. Damien Lillard scored 34 points to pace the Blazers who had five different players score in double-figures.
It has been a spectacular start to the year for the Blazers who became the first team this season to reach the 30-win plateau. Key to Portland’s hot start this year is the excellent form of Damien Lillard who has improved in leaps and bounds in his third season with the Blazers.
Lillard is averaging 22.2 points per contest for the Blazers, the second-best scoring mark in the team this season. In addition to that, he also leads the Blazers in the assists and steals department, averaging 6.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game for Portland this season.
Lillard’s growing maturity was there for all to see in their game against the Lakers where he scored 17 of his 34 points in the final 8:16 that turned a seemingly tight affair into a huge blowout victory for the Blazers.
He will look to bring the same scoring mentality this coming Wednesday when the Blazers entertain the Clippers at Moda Center. He will fancy his chances of doing just that as he has already enjoyed some success in dissecting the Clippers’ defense this season. He scored 21 points in the Blazers’ only meeting with the Clippers last November 8, albeit in a 106-102 losing effort.
This Blazers team, though, is a much improved unit compared to the one that faced the Clippers two months ago. After their loss to the Clips, the Blazers have gone on a tear winning 27 of their next 32 games. Key to the Blazers’ resurgence is their play on the defensive end. Portland is no. 1 in the league in scoring defense this season, allowing just 96.4 points per game.
The Blazers are 9-1 in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blazers (-3.5) storm past the Clippers, 98-83.
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