NBA Handicapping Predictions – Trailblazers vs Clippers
A week ago Vinny Del Negro was squarely on the hot seat. He isn’t necessarily feeling safe right now, but a three-game winning streak and a vote of confidence from Owner Donald Sterling had to help.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Portland Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
10:30 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Clippers -8.5
Over/Under: 188
Portland is a team that has been in a major tail spin of late.
Caleb Kaneles is the Interim Coach, and he is trying to get the team to work better as a unit and play harder on the defensive end.
Portland traded away Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby at the trade deadline.
The Blazers got rid of Nate McMillan and went with Canales for the time being. For a game or two it looked like the team was going to respond, but they have reverted right back to the way they were playing before the trade deadline. Portland has quite a bit of talent, but they have been getting blown out constantly of late.
LaMarcus Aldridge is putting together a terrific season, but the rest of the team hasn’t been good enough. Aldridge averages 21.3 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford are both shooting just 39% in the Blazers backcourt. J.J. Hickson was a nice pickup by the team last week, and he should get more playing time in the near future.
The Clippers have rebounded with three straight wins in the past few days. Blake Griffin leads the team in scoring at 21 points per game. He also averages 10.8 boards per game. Chris Paul averages 19.4 points and 8.8 assists per game. Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams are both out with an injury right now.
The team is much better when guys like Caron Butler and Randy Foye are aggressive on the offensive end.
The Clippers are 18-8 at home so far this season. Can this team play up to its potential? Expectations are high for this group.
These teams have already met three times this year. The Clippers have won two of three against the Blazers.
Neither of these offenses are clicking particularly well right now, but it seems like the Clippers are progressing while the Blazers continue to struggle.
Prediction: Clippers 98 Blazers 87
