Clippers vs Trail Blazers Picks and Prediction – 1/17/2025

The Moda Center will play host to a Thursday night NBA clash between the LA Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Clippers are three games below .500 on the road and are fighting with Dallas for fifth place in the Western Conference standings. LA ranks sixth in the league in defensive efficiency and is allowing 108.1 points per game. 

Long-time reserve Norman Powell is having a breakout season for LA with a team-high 23.9 points per game. Veteran G James Harden is averaging 21.7 points and ranks seventh in the league with 7.9 assists. Ivica Zubac controls the paint for the Clippers with 12.7 rebounds on average. 

The Portland Trail Blazers are two games below .500 at home and are trapped near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Trail Blazers (13-26) rank 27th in the league in defensive efficiency and are giving up 116.8 points per contest. On Tuesday, Portland was outscored by 13 points during the second half of a 132-114 home loss versus Brooklyn. 

Second-year pro Scoot Henderson led all scorers with 39 points on 13-for-18 shooting and dished out six assists. Portland F Toumani Camara knocked down 4-for-11 from long range and finished with 23 points. Shaedon Sharpe added 21 points for the Trail Blazers, who allowed the Nets to shoot 54 percent.

Portland F Deni Avdija (ankle) was unable to suit up for Tuesday’s loss and is listed as day-to-day. These two squads rank in the bottom third of the league in offensive efficiency, so the under is worth a look. The stronger play is on the Trail Blazers to pull off the upset at home. Final Score Prediction, Portland Trail Blazers win 110-107.