Through 1 Quarter

The Los Angeles Lakers are flexing their muscles against the Portland Trail Blazers, showing why they were favored to win all along. The Lakers are in control with a 28-16 lead over Portland.

Los Angeles has been relying on the performance of power forward Carmelo Anthony, who has ten points and two assists in addition to three rebounds. Center Jusuf Nurkic has led the way so far for Portland, as he has six points along with four boards and one block.

This is the least points Portland has had yet this season going into the second quarter.

Who’s Playing

Portland @ Los Angeles

Current Records: Portland 21-30; Los Angeles 24-27

What to Know

After six games on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers are heading back home. They will take on the Portland Trail Blazers at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena after having had a few days off. Given that these two teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

The Lakers came up short against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, falling 129-121. Los Angeles’ loss came about despite a quality game from shooting guard Malik Monk, who shot 8-for-14 from beyond the arc and finished with a double-double on 33 points and ten rebounds along with five dimes.

Meanwhile, Portland received a tough blow on Monday as they fell 98-81 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shooting guard Anfernee Simons wasn’t much of a difference maker for Rip City; Simons played for 34 minutes but put up just eight points on 3-for-16 shooting.

Los Angeles is expected to win this handily, but they should have beaten Oklahoma City Nov. 4 easily too and instead slipped up with a 107-104. In other words, don’t count Portland out just yet.

How To Watch

• When: Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, California
• TV: ROOT Sports Northwest
• Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
• Follow: CBS Sports App
• Ticket Cost: $65.00

Odds

The Lakers are a 3.5-point favorite against the Trail Blazers, according to the latest NBA odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 3.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -110

See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Series History

Portland have won 17 out of their last 27 games against Los Angeles.

• Dec 31, 2021 – Los Angeles 139 vs. Portland 106
• Nov 06, 2021 – Portland 105 vs. Los Angeles 90
• May 07, 2021 – Portland 106 vs. Los Angeles 101
• Feb 26, 2021 – Los Angeles 102 vs. Portland 93
• Dec 28, 2020 – Portland 115 vs. Los Angeles 107
• Aug 29, 2020 – Los Angeles 131 vs. Portland 122
• Aug 24, 2020 – Los Angeles 135 vs. Portland 115
• Aug 22, 2020 – Los Angeles 116 vs. Portland 108
• Aug 20, 2020 – Los Angeles 111 vs. Portland 88
• Aug 18, 2020 – Portland 100 vs. Los Angeles 93
• Jan 31, 2020 – Portland 127 vs. Los Angeles 119
• Dec 28, 2019 – Los Angeles 128 vs. Portland 120
• Dec 06, 2019 – Los Angeles 136 vs. Portland 113
• Apr 09, 2019 – Portland 104 vs. Los Angeles 101
• Nov 14, 2018 – Los Angeles 126 vs. Portland 117
• Nov 03, 2018 – Los Angeles 114 vs. Portland 110
• Oct 18, 2018 – Portland 128 vs. Los Angeles 119
• Mar 05, 2018 – Portland 108 vs. Los Angeles 103
• Dec 23, 2017 – Portland 95 vs. Los Angeles 92
• Nov 02, 2017 – Portland 113 vs. Los Angeles 110
• Mar 26, 2017 – Portland 97 vs. Los Angeles 81
• Jan 25, 2017 – Portland 105 vs. Los Angeles 98
• Jan 10, 2017 – Portland 108 vs. Los Angeles 87
• Jan 05, 2017 – Portland 118 vs. Los Angeles 109
• Jan 23, 2016 – Portland 121 vs. Los Angeles 103
• Nov 28, 2015 – Portland 108 vs. Los Angeles 96
• Nov 22, 2015 – Portland 107 vs. Los Angeles 93

Injury Report for Los Angeles

• Malik Monk: Game-Time Decision (Groin)
• LeBron James: Out (Knee)
• Kendrick Nunn: Out (Knee)

Injury Report for Portland

• Jusuf Nurkic: Game-Time Decision (Ankle)
• Anfernee Simons: Game-Time Decision (Hip)
• CJ Elleby: Game-Time Decision (Hamstring)
• Trendon Watford: Game-Time Decision (Ankle)
• Larry Nance Jr.: Out (Knee)
• Damian Lillard: Out (Abdomen)
• Cody Zeller: Out (Knee)
• Nassir Little: Out for the Season (Shoulder)