Portland has owned the Lakers winning 14 consecutive games against them, including the past eight in LA.

Both teams are playing well, but the Trail Blazers are the superior team, in a better situational spot and have been strong as road chalk going 10-2 SU, 8-4 ATS the past 12 times in that role.

The Trail Blazers are riding a season-best six-game win streak. They are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 Western Conference games. Their backcourt is playing at an extremely high level especially Damian Lillard, who ranks sixth in scoring and 12th in assists.

The Lakers rank 27th defense. They are giving up an average of 115.8 points per game during their last eight games.

Yet the spread is close to pick because the Lakers have won five consecutive games and are home. LA could be flat, though, since it just concluded a four-game road trip with an impressive 116-112 win against the Spurs Saturday night. Notice who the Lakers beat in their other four games during their win streak - Mavericks, Kings, Hawks and Heat.

Portland, by contrast, has defeated some very good teams during its win streak knocking off the Warriors, Jazz, Timberwolves and Thunder.