All Lakers Expert Predictions For Possible Trap Game Vs Blazers

Can LA get to its semi-winning ways?

Tonight at 7 p.m. PT, your 21-22 Los Angeles Lakers will host the 12-29 Portland Trail Blazers.

LA has had an uneven go of it since winning the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament last month, having gone 7-13 across its past 20 games.

We're here to answer all your burning questions ahead of the bout!

Can the Lakers cover the generous spread?

Per betting aggregator The Action Network, Los Angeles is a -10.5-point favorite to win at home against a tanking team. While it's certainly conceivable LA might not take the competition seriously and submit the kind of lackluster effort that yielded a 130-112 blowout loss to the sub-.500 Brooklyn Nets, the smart money is on the Purple and Gold at least beating Portland. I don't trust them enough to predict they cover, however.

Who will be Portland's high scorer?

Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons' over/under is projected at 22.5 points. 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson has been far too raw from night to night to give Portland much reliable offense, while former 2018 No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton has looked like the worse player in the deal that swapped him with Jusuf Nurkic in Phoenix. Simons will get the job done, but with LA's defense keyed in on him, forcing him into awkward takes, expect Simons.