Portland (3-0) vs L.A. (1-2)
The Portland Trailblazers are off to a solid 3-0 start, but this game facing the Clippers (1-2) will be their first road game this season. Unlike last season the Blazers are winning with their offense, as they have averaged over 106 ppg in their first 3 games.
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Trailblazers vs. Clippers
When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 1, 2012
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast: Fox Sports West 2
Blazers vs. Clippers Betting Lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: Clippers -3.5
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 203
*NBA ATS Matchup Report*
This is the first match up of the season between the Blazers and the Clippers and L.A. will have their hands full facing a Portland team that is the highest scoring team in the league, ranks 3rd in the league in rebounds per game, and 3rd in assists per game.
The Clippers have lost 2 straight after winning their season opener and they have lost those games because of their D, which has given up at least 114 ppg in each game and allowed opponents to shoot over 50% from the floor.
Blake Griffin simply said recently, “We’re going to win games, but we’ve got to get better defensively.”
The Blazers have beaten the Clippers 5 straight times.
January 1st - Portland Trailblazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview & Betting Lines
Blake Griffin is putting up solid stats averaging 28 ppg and 9.7 rpg and new Clippers’ PG is averaging 15 ppg and 10.6 assists per game. Griffin needs help on the boards, as L.A. only ranks 28th in the league in rebounds per game, which is not good with Marcus Camby (11.3 rpg), Gerald Wallace (7.7 rpg), and LaMarcus Aldridge (6.7 rpg) coming to town.
The PF match up in this game is sweet with Griffin going up against Aldridge, who are 2 of the best at their position in the league.
Paul will need to have a good game tonight and in his career he has struggled against the Blazers only averaging 11.4 ppg on 37.9% shooting in 7 games facing them.
Portland has 6 players averaging in double figures and free agent Jamal Crawford has played well in his first season in a Blazers’ uniform averaging 13.3 ppg.
In 2 games against Clippers while with Atlanta last season Crawford averaged nearly 30 ppg.
Handicapping Trends
- The Blazers are 2-0-1 ATS this season with an Over/Under record of 2-1 and the Clippers are 1-2 ATS with an Over/Under record of 2-1.
- In some betting trends for this Western Conference match up the Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games and have an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
- The Clippers are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games and they have an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 games.
- The Blazers have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games facing the Clippers.
Blazers vs Clippers Free Prediction
Have to go with the Clip joint in this game, as I think the Blazers will struggle in their first road game of the season and Paul will have a great game.