Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Lakers and Blazers Battle to Break Losing Streaks

The Los Angeles Lakers (13-12) host the Portland Trail Blazers (6-16) in a Sunday night matchup of two Western Conference teams desperate to regain their footing. Both squads have lost three straight games and seven of their last nine, sinking further in the standings as they search for answers.

Lakers Seek Consistency Amid Setbacks

The Lakers are coming off a heartbreaking 134-132 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, a game in which a late defensive lapse allowed Trae Young to hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left. While the loss showed signs of improved effort after two blowout defeats earlier in the week, it wasn’t enough to snap their losing streak.

LeBron James recorded his seventh triple-double of the season with 39 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Despite his individual brilliance, James voiced frustration over the team’s struggles.

“I don’t know as far as what will get us over the hump,” James said. “We just got to just not drown. Don’t drown and we’ll be all right.”

Anthony Davis also had a stellar performance with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists but acknowledged the urgency of the moment.

“There’s no cavalry. No one feels sorry for us,” Davis said. “We got to continue to put our head down and grind.”

The Lakers remain hopeful that guard Austin Reaves, who has missed the last four games with a back/pelvis injury, can return against Portland.

Key Players for Los Angeles

• LeBron James: The 39-year-old remains the driving force for the Lakers, consistently delivering elite performances despite the team’s inconsistency.
• Anthony Davis: Davis must continue his dominant play in the paint to capitalize on Portland’s rebounding struggles.
• Austin Reaves: If he returns, Reaves could provide much-needed depth and scoring.

Blazers Struggle Amid Blowout Losses

Portland is coming off back-to-back lopsided defeats, including a humiliating 141-99 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday. The Trail Blazers were out-rebounded 61-34 and outscored 39-18 in fastbreak points, leading to frustration from both fans and head coach Chauncey Billups.

“It was ugly, obviously,” Billups said. “We got out there and nothing worked from the beginning. It was a tough one.”

Compounding Portland’s issues are injuries to key players. Robert Williams III (concussion), Donovan Clingan (knee), and Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) remain out, while Toumani Camara suffered a right foot injury against Utah. Deandre Ayton’s lackluster effort against the Jazz also drew criticism, with Billups benching him early in the second half.

Key Players for Portland

• Jerami Grant: Grant, who scored 19 points against Utah, will need to shoulder the scoring load in Henderson’s absence.
• Deandre Ayton: Ayton must bounce back from a poor performance and assert himself on the boards to help Portland compete inside.
• Dalano Banton: Banton’s 19-point outing against Utah could be a springboard for increased offensive production.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Lakers’ Frontcourt vs. Blazers’ Rebounding: With Portland struggling on the boards, Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ big men have an opportunity to dominate inside.
• LeBron James vs. Portland’s Defense: The Blazers will need to find a way to contain James, who has been nearly unstoppable even in losses.
• Jerami Grant vs. Lakers’ Defense: Grant’s scoring will be critical for Portland to stay competitive.

What’s at Stake?

For the Lakers, a win would stabilize their season and keep them above .500 as they fight for a stronger position in the playoff race. Their ability to capitalize on Portland’s vulnerabilities will be key to reversing their recent slide.

For the Trail Blazers, snapping their losing streak against a divisional opponent could provide much-needed confidence for a team struggling with injuries and inconsistent play.

With both teams desperate for a victory, fans can expect an intense, high-energy showdown at Crypto.com Arena.