Clippers vs Trail Blazers

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers roll into Portland on a two-game upswing after decisive wins over the Lakers and Rockets, while the Trail Blazers limp in on a two-game skid following a brief three-game surge. With Bradley Beal out for the year and Ivica Zubac sidelined, Los Angeles is still leaning heavily on the healthy Leonard–James Harden core that already dropped a 30-point, 10-board Leonard line in an October win over Portland, whereas the Blazers are missing or managing key pieces like Damian Lillard (out for the season), Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday and Matisse Thybulle. That combination of current form, top-end shot creation, and Portland’s thinned-out rotation tilts this small road favorite spot toward the Clippers moneyline at -135, graded a B for solid likelihood with modest value rather than a smash spot. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:08. Sources for moneyline pick: ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/lac))

Portland’s injury-riddled group, now driven primarily by Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe with Lillard out for the season and multiple playmakers on the injury report, has recently played in tighter-scoring games, with four of the last five finishing at or below the mid-220s despite some explosive individual nights. On the other side, the Clippers’ recent results show signs of defensive tightening—holding the Lakers under 90 and slowing Houston while riding Leonard’s scoring and Brook Lopez’s rim protection—and their earlier win over Portland landed in the low 220s even with strong efficiency from their stars. Given Los Angeles’ tendency to grind more in late-December road spots, Portland’s shortened rotation, and the potential for half-court, Kawhi-and-Harden-heavy possessions on both ends, the Under 224.5 at -110 earns a B- as a slightly better-than-fifty-fifty angle with fair, not elite, value. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:08. Sources for total pick: ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/lac))

James Harden’s control of tempo, paired with Leonard’s history of efficient scoring against Portland and the Clippers’ renewed momentum, suggests they can edge out a Blazers squad that’s dropped two straight and is likely missing Grant while relying heavily on Avdija, Sharpe and rookie big Donovan Clingan. Even with Zubac sidelined, Los Angeles can still throw Lopez and length at Clingan inside, and Portland’s backcourt depth is compromised by the absences or limitations of Lillard, Henderson, Holiday and Thybulle, all of which matter when trying to cover for 35-plus minutes of Harden pick-and-rolls. Still, with the Blazers at home, having already shown they can punch above their record during their recent three-game winning stretch, laying the short -2 with the Clippers is more of a lean than a conviction, graded C+ for moderate confidence and only slightly better value than the moneyline. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 26/12/2025 10:08. Sources for spread pick: ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/lac))