We go to Portland for Thursday’s NBA free play, as the undefeated Los Angeles Clippers put their 3-0 record on the line. The Clippers visit the 3-1 Trail Blazers at the Moda Center with tip-off scheduled for 10:05 PM ET. The betting line for this game is set at Portland -2.5.
Home Sweet Home
The Clippers are 3-0 both SU and ATS, but they have yet to play a true road game. The only “road” game they have played so far was against the Lakers, but the two LA franchises share the Staples Center. That makes this trip to Portland LA’s first true road game of the season.
Road Warriors
Portland brings a 3-1 record into tonight’s contest. Unlike the Clippers, three of Portland’s four games were on the road. They went 2-1, losing by just three points in Milwaukee. The Blazers are coming off a 10-point home win over New Orleans despite shooting just 37.5% from the field.
Sweet, Sweet Revenge
This is a triple-revenge game for Portland, as the Blazers lost all three meetings against the Clippers last season. It should be noted that only one of those games was in Portland, and the Blazers have a good history at home against these Clippers.
Interesting Angle
In regular season games since the start of last season, Over-500 teams coming off a win by 15 points or more and playing as a road dog of three points or less are just 5-11 SU and 5-10-1 ATS. That’s the role the Clippers find themselves in tonight.
Your NBA Free Play for Thursday Is…
Take the Portland Trail Blazers -2.5, as I have them winning this game by five points over the Clippers tonight.