The Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers will put their respective three-game winning streaks on the line this coming Wednesday when they square off in a pivotal Western Conference clash at Staples Center. Only half a game separates the two sides in the team standings so expect fireworks to erupt from both squads as they look to grab that all-important win.
Read on below for a preview of this blockbuster NBA matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the showdown between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Detroit Pistons here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Preview
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
When: Wednesday, March 4, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a tough 110-99 win Sunday over the Sacramento Kings. The victory helped the Blazers move to within 1 ½ games of the Houston Rockets for third place in the Western Conference.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Damian Lillard led the charge for the Blazers, exploding for 31 points in addition to his four rebounds and seven assists. Lillard was clutch as usual for the Blazers, scoring nine of his 31 points in the fourth period to help Portland hold off a spirited Sacramento fight back.
Lillard has been a vital cog to the Blazers’ success this season, averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He also leads the team in the assists and steals department, averaging 6.2 APG and 1.40 SPG this campaign.
The Blazers will need Lillard to continue his superb form if they are to extend their winning streak against the Clippers. Lillard will fancy his chances of doing just that as he has been excellent in his two meetings with the Clips this season. Lillard is averaging 20 PPG against Los Angeles this season, shooting 47% (8-of-17) from beyond the arc.
With the Clippers allowing just 39.3 points inside the paint per game this season (fifth-best in the NBA), it’s paramount for the Blazers to drain their outside jumpers. Fortunately for coach Terry Stotts, his team is clicking from the perimeter right now. The Blazers have buried a total of 33 three-pointers in their current three-game win run with Portland shooting at an incredibly high 43.4 percent clip during this stretch.
The Blazers are 2-8 in their last 10 games on the road.
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Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers stormed to their third consecutive win Monday with a nerve-wracking 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the Clippers’ seventh victory in their last nine games as they moved half a game behind Portland for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference.
Chris Paul had 26 points and 14 assists in the game while DeAndre Jordan scored 12 points and grabbed 18 boards, his ninth straight game with at least 15 rebounds. More than their scoring exploits, though, it was their excellent play on the defensive end in the final quarter that proved to be the total game-changer for the Clippers.
The Clippers held Minnesota to only one field goal in the payoff period to successfully keep the upset-hungry Wolves at bay. In fact, the Wolves didn’t make a single field goal in the final 10 minutes of the game as they struggled to solve the Clippers’ intense pressure defense.
It has been an impressive stretch for both Paul and Jordan, who have successfully steered the Clippers while Blake Griffin has been out with an elbow injury. The Clippers improved to 7-3 in 10 games since Griffin went down with the injury.
During this stretch, Paul is averaging 21 points and 12 assists per game while Jordan is averaging over 15 points and 19 boards per game. The two will fancy their chances of continuing their dominance against the Blazers as they have excelled against Portland in their first two meetings with them this season.
Paul is averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 assists against the Blazers this season. Jordan, on the other hand, is averaging 11.5 points and 16.0 rebounds per game against them.
The Clippers are 6-1 in their last seven home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Portland wins, 117-111.
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