NBA Basketball
2018-11-08 - Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Thursday 8th November 2018 - Tip Off 10pm
British Time: 3am
Preview
Two days ago I selected the Portland Trail Blazers to beat the Milwaukee Bucks as the home underdog and they won outright. They have continued to be a very good home team following on from last season and I do think the Trail Blazers can put another win on the board when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.
There wasn't a deep expectation with the Clippers going into the season, but they have been better than advertised so far. They have some quality veterans like Tobias Harris and Danilo Galinari leading the starters while Lou Williams continues to display the form off the bench that took him to Sixth Man of the Year honours.
If the Trail Blazers are even contemplating the upcoming game with the Boston Celtics they will be in for a rude awakening here, but that game is set for Sunday so I do think the focus will be where it should be.
I do like the way the Los Angeles Clippers have been playing and they did return me a winner earlier this week, but this is a team who feel like they are much better at home than on the road. They have not been as strong Defensively on the road as they have at the Staples Center and the Clippers are only 2-3 on the road in the 2018/19 season which seems to back that up.
While I do think the Defensive issues with the Clippers will see the Portland Trail Blazers continue to produce points, it is the Portland Defensive performances at home which have really stood out. They are holding teams to a tick over 40% from the field at Moda Center and the Trail Blazers have the size around the glass to prevent teams from picking up second chance points.
Los Angeles will challenge them on the boards and they have a decent three point shooting team that has to be respected. However it will be difficult to put that together for 48 minutes in an Arena where Portland have tended to blow out their opponents when they have won here.
I think it is also telling that the Clippers have yet to beat a team with a winning record in the 2018/19 season and they are 1-4 against the spread in the last five against the Trail Blazers.
Portland have continued to be a team who cashes for their backers at home and they are playing a Clippers team who have not covered in their last four road games against a team with a winning record at home. Add in Portland's strong trends at home and I like the Trail Blazers to win and cover on Thursday.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Portland Trail Blazers 116-108 Los Angeles Clipper
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Portland Trail Blazers - 5 Points at 1.91 with BetFred
