A key NBA battle sees the visiting Trail Blazers travelling to Los Angeles Friday to face the Lakers on Friday.

(Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). The Lakers are 26-29 so far on the season, and 22-33 ATS vs. the number. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are 25-29 and 22-30-2 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Los Angeles go 28-26-1 and the Trail Blazers go 28-26 on the totals.



View Portland vs LA Lakers Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened this morning as 10-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 200 at Sportsbook and other shops.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Lakers - Trail Blazers odds would favor the Lakers if the lines were set according to power ranks. Los Angeles is rated No. 12 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Trail Blazers sit at No. 24. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 101-97 win for the Lakers.



How They Match Up:
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Los Angeles's No. 3-rated squad against Portland's No. 19-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Los Angeles rates No. 5 in the league with 8.5 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 7 with 8 per outing.

In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Trail Blazers own the league's No. 22-rated mark, allowing 102.2 points per game when playing on the road. Los Angeles, on the other hand, rates No. 9 in scoring on their home court.

Portland lost its last outing, a 102-98 result against the Suns on February 19. The Trail Blazers failed to cover in that game as a 6.5-point favorite, while the 200 combined points took the game OVER the total. J.J. Hickson scored 25 points and added 16 rebounds for a double-double, but his team still lost 102-98 against Phoenix in NBA action at Rose Garden.

Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 113-99 Sportsbook as they battled the Celtics at home. The Lakers covered in the match as a 7.5-point favorite, while 212 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Dwight Howard scored 24 points and added 12 rebounds for a double-double, leading Los Angeles over Boston, 113-99, on Wednesday at STAPLES Center.


Portland Trail Blazers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Dallas are 4-6
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few Trail Blazers at Lakers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Portland's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 10 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 10 games when playing at home against Portland


Next up:
Portland home to Boston, Sunday, February 24
LA Lakers at Dallas, Sunday, February 24