Portland Trail Blazers (13-26) vs LA Clippers (21-17)
Game Info: Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10:00 pm (Moda Center)
Betting Odds: Portland Trail Blazers +5.5 -- Over/Under: 221 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
The Los Angeles Clippers (21-17) are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers (13-26) on January 16, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland. The Clippers, currently fifth in the Western Conference, are coming off a 109-98 victory over the Miami Heat. In that game, Norman Powell led the team with 29 points, while James Harden contributed 26 points and 11 assists. Ivica Zubac also had a standout performance, recording 21 points and 20 rebounds. However, this matchup against the Trail Blazers marks the second game of a back-to-back for the Clippers, which may influence player availability and performance.
The Trail Blazers, positioned 13th in the Western Conference, are looking to rebound from a 132-114 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite the defeat, rookie guard Scoot Henderson was a bright spot, scoring a career-high 39 points. Portland has struggled defensively, allowing 117 or more points in four of their last five games, and will need to tighten up on that end to compete with the Clippers' offensive firepower.
Norman Powell Over 3.5 Three Pointers
Norman Powell has been a crucial offensive weapon for the LA Clippers this season. He’s averaging an impressive 23.9 points per game. His three-point shooting has been a standout aspect of his performance, as he averages 3.6 three-pointers made on 8.2 attempts per game, shooting an efficient 44.3% from beyond the arc. In a notable game on January 14, 2025, Powell scored 29 points, including an impressive 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range, leading the Clippers to a 109-98 victory over the Miami Heat. His consistent ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from deep has been a critical factor in the Clippers' offensive success this season.
Norman Powell has been on absolute fire as of late dropping 25 plus points in his last three games. A lot of that success has been due to his three-point shooting. In his last game against the Miami Heat, he made five three-pointers and in the game before that, he made four three-pointers against the Denver Nuggets. He has another favorable matchup in this one going against Portland who gives up 14.1 3-pointers per game to opposing teams which is well above the league average.
Ivica Zubac Over 12.5 Rebounds
Ivica Zubac has been a dominant force on the boards for the LA Clippers. He’s averaging 12.5 rebounds per game, which ranks him fourth in the league. His rebounding breakdown includes approximately 3.8 offensive rebounds and 8.7 defensive rebounds per game. In addition to his rebounding prowess, Zubac contributes 14.9 points and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 61.4% from the field. His consistent presence on the glass and efficient scoring has been instrumental in the Clippers' performance this season.
Zubac has been a monster on the glass this season. In his last four games, we've seen him have 16 or more rebounds in three of them and is coming off a game where he secured 20 rebounds against the Miami Heat. He should have another big night on the glass going against Portland who gives up 53.3 rebounds per game to opposing teams which is the eighth most in the league.
Anfernee Simons Under 5.5 Assists
Anfernee Simons has been a key playmaker for the Portland Trail Blazers this season. He’s averaging 18.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. This will be a tough matchup for Simon's going against this Clippers team that has been playing great on the defensive side of the ball. They only give up 25.3 assists per game to opposing teams which is the seventh fewest in the league. We've also seen Simon's be more of a scorer rather than a facilitator as of late. He's failed to get over five assists in his last four games and I don't see this being the matchup where he gets back over that hump.
Brad’s Pick See Above
AUTHOR: Brad Francis
