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Lakers vs Trail Blazers Game 3 Picks and Odds

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 8, 2021 · 1:43 PM PST

Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is set for a big night on TNT (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)
  • LeBron and the Lakers dominated the Trail Blazers to even up first round series heading into Game 3
  • Damian Lillard suffered dislocated finger in Game 2 loss, but has vowed to play through it on Saturday night
  • See the odds, our analysis and best bets for Game 3 below

Proving that any playoff series can turn on one game, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back and routed the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-88, in Game 2 of their first round series.

The game also featured near disaster for Portland, as Damian Lillard dislocated a finger on his left hand (x-rays did come back negative).

With the Blazers reeling and the Lakers finding their footing, Saturday night’s Game 3 is high stakes in what now amounts to a best-of-five affair.

Lakers vs Trail Blazers Game 3 Odds

Team Spread at FanDuel Moneyline Total
Los Angeles Lakers -7 (-110) -300 N/A
Portland Trail Blazers +7 (-110) +245 N/A

Odds taken Aug 21st. Tip-off is 9:10pm ET

The Lakers vs Trail Blazers odds show bookmakers are are holding firm on the top-seeded Lakers. Let’s explore and see if the eighth-seeded Blazers have some bounce-back ability in them.

Anthony Davis, Defense Shine in Game 2

The first great sign for the Lakers was that LeBron James didn’t need a superhuman effort for LA to trounce Portland. The King’s line was downright peasant-like, with just 10 points, seven boards and six assists on just 11 field goal attempts.

But co-star Anthony Davis put in work. His 31 points and 11 boards on 13-for-21 shooting (including 3-for-4 from three) doesn’t nearly come close to explaining his domination. The ‘Brow attacked the Blazers’ interior repeatedly and laid waste to Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside super-sized lineups.

That, and the fact that LA was able to knock down some outside shots turned this into a blowout from halftime-on. After a disastrous 5-for-32 effort from deep in Game 1, the Lakers finished with 14 threes made on 36.8% shooting.

While their offense remains a work in progress, LA’s defense was stellar again. They held the Blazers to just 40% shooting from the field, and made a dedicated effort to press up on all Lillard pick-and-rolls.

This ground-and-pound pace is slowing what had been the hottest offense going in basketball for two straight games.

Blazers Worn Down With No Home Relief

Normally, a split against the top-seeded Lakers would be advantage Blazers, who could regroup and get recharged with one of the true home court advantages in the NBA. But bubble life eliminates that shot in the arm the team could use.

For a team that led all teams in scoring since the restart at better than 126 points a game, the well has dried up. In the last two games, Portland has averaged just 99.0 points a game, and in Game 2 they had just 58 points after three quarters, setting up an extended garbage time.

While it appears that Lillard should be available after dislocating his finger on a freak kick to his left hand while trying to reach for the ball past a driving Davis, the deeper concern is Portland’s inability to score. Not one regular rotation player shot better than 50%, including 1-for-6 from ‘Melo, 6-for-16 from CJ McCollum and 4-for-10 from Jusuf Nurkic.

Game 3 Betting Advice

The NBA is a make-or-miss league, and this has been a make-or-miss series. Los Angeles isn’t good enough to win by out jump-shooting the Blazers, so if Davis can continue to pound Portland inside, and the Lakers get some outside shooting support – like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 4-for-6 effort from deep in Game 2 – the Lakers are going to be tough to beat.

With so many intense games since the restart, it looked like the Blazers burned out in Game 2, and were worn down for the first time in the bubble.

Assuming Dame is good to go, Portland is going to have to try and pick up the pace and find easier offense, at least until the fourth quarter, where Lillard and McCollum can carry them home.

It’s hard to remember the last time LeBron wasn’t clearly the best player on the floor in a playoff game. I’m guessing we’ll see a more imposing performance Saturday. Look for the Lakers to control pace and their defense to hold up against the Blazers.

The pick: Lakers -7.0 (-110) and under 

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