Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game Preview, Prediction
By Keith Alrick
@Kramerica100
Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers (29-8) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (12-25)
Game Time: Sunday, Jan. 11, 9:30 p.m. ET
Projected Starting Lineups:
Portland Trail Blazers: PG: Damian Lillard, SG: Wesley Matthews, SF: Nicolas Batum, PF: LaMarcus Aldridge, C: Joel Freeland
Los Angeles Lakers: PG: Ronnie Price, SG: Kobe Bryant, SF: Wesley Johnson, PF: Ed Davis, C: Jordan Hill
The Trail Blazers are looking to continue their good play as they take on the Lakers. Portland comes into the game with the second-best record in the NBA. They have won eight out of 10 games, and are beginning to separate themselves with the Golden State Warriors in the standings.
The interest around the Lakers doesn’t involve their record. However, there are some reasons to tune into Lakers’ games, despite their 12-25 record. Watching Kobe Bryant and seeing how many shots he takes is one reason, and of course, Nick Young doing Nick Young things is a reason to watch. Finally, trying to figure out Byron Scott is always an interesting game to play. Unfortunately, one of those reasons might not happen tonight, as Bryant is listed as day-to-day – he said he will decide whether or not he will play during today’s shootaround.
On the other hand, there is no shortage of reasons to watch Portland. Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge only are enough to get any basketball fan excited. Lillard in particular has been on quite a run, and he has become must-watch TV in close games. Although, it might be Aldridge who puts on a show tonight. Not that many teams do, but the Lakers certainly don’t have the post players that can match up with Aldridge. I expect him to have a big night scoring.
These two teams did play just six days ago, and the Lakers played them close in Portland. Los Angeles took a lead into the fourth quarter before Lillard did what he usually does and took the game over. He finished with 39 points, including 24 in the second half.
I don’t think tonight’s game will be as close as that one unless the Lakers have a few players get hot from behind the arc. The talent differential is too great, and the Trail Blazers should have an easy time adding another victory to their total.
Final Prediction: Portland 105 Los Angeles 93
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