Trent Reinsmith
- What: L.A. Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Date: Tuesday, November 29, 2022
- Location: Moda Center
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: KTLA, ClipperVision, TNT
When the 2022 NBA season came to a close, the Portland Trail Blazers had a record of 27-55. With that, the team fell well short of the Western Conference playoffs. The L.A. Clippers had a winning record of 42-40 at the close of the season and although the club made it to the play-in game, they missed the playoffs after the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated them 109-104. Both teams are looking to finish the 2023 NBA season in a better position than they wrapped up the 2022 campaign. So far, things are looking good for both clubs.
The Clippers have played 21 games this season and have a 12-9 record, which is good enough to put them in second place in the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are 11-9 on 20 games played. They are second to the Denver Nuggets in the Northwest Division. Both teams remain within striking distance of first place. Portland trails Denver by 1.5 games and L.A. is two games behind the Phoenix Suns. The Clippers are on the road tonight to face the Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s NBA matchup between the L.A. Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 NBA Finals and our tips for betting on the NBA.
L.A. Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers picks – November 29, 2022
| Teams |  |  |  |
| LA Clippers | +110 | +110 | +110 |
| Portalnd Trail Blazers | -130 | -130 | -130 |
L.A. Clippers breakdown
The L.A. Clippers began the 2023 NBA season with two wins. The wheels fell off after that, with the club dropping four straight. Things have gone pretty well for the Clippers since that losing skid, with their recent defeats at the hands of the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets being their only back-to-back losses. L.A. is coming off a Sunday win over the Indiana Pacers at home.
Things could be better for the Clippers on the injury front. Kawhi Leonard, who has only played in five games this season after missing all of last season, has been ruled out of tonight’s game in Portland with an ankle injury. Further, the Clippers’ leading scorer, Paul George, will also be off the court tonight with a hamstring injury.
With George out of the mix, the Clippers don’t have a single player on the rosters who has scored more than 15 points per game. However, Ivica Zubac was a bright spot for the Clippers on Sunday. The 25-year-old led the team with 31 points and 29 rebounds on 36 minutes played. His previous high in points in a game this season was 17 and he has only hit double digits in two of his eight most recent games.
Portland Trail Blazers breakdown
The Trail Blazers began the 2023 NBA season with four straight victories. The club has not had a winning streak of more than three games since then and they are 2-6 in their past eight games including a run of four consecutive losses. Portland is coming off a 111-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in an away game on Sunday.
Like L.A., Portland is missing a few notable players. Keon Johnson has a hip injury that will keep him out of tonight’s game. Damian Lillard will also miss the Clippers game with a calf strain and Gary Payton III is out with abdomen soreness.
Lillard is the team’s leading scorer with an average of 26.3 points per game, but Anfernee Simons is not far behind. The 23-year-old Simons has been playing over 36 minutes per game and averaging 23.2 points per game to go with a team-high 4.3 assists. Jerami Grant is also contributing more than 21 points per game on over 36 minutes of play. Grant led the club in scoring in the loss to Brooklyn with 29 points on 40 minutes of play.
Our pick
While both the Clippers and Trail Blazers are missing essential players heading into tonight’s Western Conference matchup, Portland has more depth. With that, the bet in tonight’s game is to bet on a Trail Blazers win.
Pick: Portland Trail Blazers to beat the L.A. Clippers
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