<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mavericks-news-chauncey-billups-luka-doncic-spencer-dinwiddie');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chauncey Billups reveals what makes Luka Doncic-led Mavericks ‘deadly’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mavericks-news-Chauncey-Bills-reveals-what-makes-Luka-Doncic-led-team-deadly.jpg"></figure><h1>Chauncey Billups reveals what makes Luka Doncic-led Mavericks ‘deadly’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T17:52:12-08:00">December 23rd, 5:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T17:52:12-08:00">December 23rd, 5:52pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Mavericks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>DALLAS — Luka Doncic is arguably the best player in the NBA. Over the years, he has been quite ball-dominant, sometimes by necessity and sometimes by choice. In the 2024-25 season, though, the Dallas Mavericks star has been able to play off the ball on a more consistent basis. Kyrie Irving obviously plays a role in that, but there’s more to the situation.</p><p>Dallas seemingly made an effort to add players who can handle the ball during the offseason. Dante Exum was expected to factor into the equation as well, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mavericks-news-dante-exum-injury-update-surgery">Exum is currently out after undergoing wrist surgery</a>. Spencer Dinwiddie, however, has played a big role in setting up the Mavs offense when necessary.</p><p>“Yeah, Spencer has been great,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said before Monday’s game. “We went to get him because we knew him. I think it just happened to come a little earlier in the season due to injury, for him to play these types of minutes. He fits that (Dante) Exum (role), you know, you trust… he’s going to get us organized offensively.”</p><p>Dinwiddie, during an event on Sunday, told ClutchPoints that he <a href="https://x.com/JoeyMistretta_/status/1871208643229806735" rel="noopener">takes “great pride” in being a player who can set up the offense</a>.</p><p>“As a basketball player, you try to be as useful to your team as possible,” Dinwiddie said. “Showing the versatility… Just trying to help the team wherever I can.”</p><h2><b>Mavericks’ Luka Doncic-led offense draws Chauncey Billups admission</b></h2><p>With the Mavericks playing the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups spoke to reporters before the game. Billups thinks the Mavs’ added depth in reference to players who can set up the offense is crucial for Doncic and Dallas.</p><p>“He (Doncic) should be very happy about that,” Billups said. “He’s been a really high-usage player… Just to be out there and not have to make every single play. Sometimes you need a secondary play-maker on the opposite side of the floor, he should welcome that. It’s deadly playing against it. But he’s always a threat whether he has the ball or not. I think he should be happy about that.”</p><p>Dinwiddie’s impact has been important, especially in recent action with Doncic dealing with an injury. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mavericks-news-luka-doncic-playing-blazers-injury-update">Luka is set to return on Monday against the Blazers</a>, though. Still, the Mavs will need Dinwiddie as the season moves forward.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chauncey Billups reveals what makes Luka Doncic-led Mavericks ‘deadly’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/trail-blazers-vs-spurs-prediction-odds-pick-12-21-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Trail Blazers vs. Spurs prediction, odds, pick – 12/21/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Trail-Blazers-vs.-Spurs-prediction-odds-pick.jpg"></figure><h1>Trail Blazers vs. Spurs prediction, odds, pick – 12/21/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T16:00:42-08:00">December 20th, 4:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T16:00:42-08:00">December 20th, 4:00pm</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA season continues, and we have a tilt between the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.  It’s time to continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Trail Blazers-Spurs prediction and pick.</p><p>The upcoming matchup on Saturday, December 21, 2024, between the <b>Portland Trail Blazers</b> and <b>San Antonio Spurs</b> promises to be an exciting clash. The Spurs, currently at 14-13, will look to build on their recent success against Portland, having won both encounters this season. Victor Wembanyama is expected to be a key player, averaging 24.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while the Blazers will rely on Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant to spark their offense. With both teams struggling defensively, a high-scoring game is anticipated at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Trail Blazers-Spurs <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Trail Blazers-Spurs Odds</b></h2><p>Portland Trail Blazers: +6.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +210</p><p>San Antonio Spurs: -6.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -260</p><p>Over: 227.5 (-110)</p><p>Under: 227.5 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Trail Blazers vs. Spurs </b></h2><p>Time: 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT</p><p>TV: Bally Sports Southwest, NBA League Pass</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Trail Blazers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Portland Trail Blazers are poised for a big upset victory against the San Antonio Spurs this Saturday, thanks to some key factors in this matchup. Despite their current record of 9-18, the Blazers possess a talented roster led by Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe. Simons, averaging 17.7 points per game, has the ability to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities, while Sharpe’s playmaking ability makes it difficult for the opposing defense to hone in on one or the other. The Blazers have shown flashes of offensive potential, which could exploit the Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities, especially if they can capitalize on fast-break opportunities.</p><p>Additionally, the Blazers have a favorable matchup in terms of depth. Players like Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant can contribute significantly, providing versatility on both ends of the court. The Spurs, while competitive at 14-13, have struggled with consistency and defensive lapses that Portland can exploit. With a focus on ball movement and defensive intensity, the Trail Blazers can secure a much-needed win, boosting their confidence as they look to turn their season around against a division rival.</p><h2><b>Why the Spurs Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The San Antonio Spurs have the tools to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, thanks to their dynamic offense and the brilliance of Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are coming off a strong win against the Atlanta Hawks, where Wembanyama erupted for 42 points, including seven three-pointers, showcasing his ability to dominate from all areas of the floor. With Devin Vassell adding consistent scoring and the team improving its three-point shooting, San Antonio has the offensive firepower to exploit Portland’s defensive lapses, particularly on the perimeter. Additionally, the Spurs’ ability to protect the ball and capitalize on turnovers gives them an edge against a Blazers team that struggles with playmaking and defensive rebounding.</p><p>Another key factor is San Antonio’s depth and resilience. Despite injuries to key players like Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson, the Spurs have managed to stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference. Their bench has stepped up in critical moments, while Wembanyama’s leadership continues to elevate the team’s confidence. Meanwhile, Portland’s youthful roster has been plagued by inconsistency and inefficiency, especially in crunch-time situations. If San Antonio can control the pace of the game and limit second-chance opportunities for Portland, they are well-positioned to secure another victory at home and continue their push toward playoff contention.</p><h2><b>Final Trail Blazers-Spurs Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The San Antonio Spurs are set to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday at the Frost Bank Center. A recent win against the Atlanta Hawks had Spurs shown resilience and depth, with Victor Wembanyama leading the charge. Averaging 24.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, Wembanyama’s ability to dominate both inside and outside poses a significant challenge for Portland’s defense. The Spurs’ offensive efficiency, averaging 110.9 points per game, will likely exploit the Blazers’ struggles on that end of the floor. Portland enters this matchup with a 9-18 record and has lost five consecutive road games, highlighting their inconsistency. While Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant can provide scoring bursts, they may not be enough to overcome San Antonio’s balanced attack and defensive tenacity. The Spurs have historically performed well against the Blazers at home, winning their last two encounters. With their current form and home-court advantage, expect San Antonio to secure a victory and cover the spread while continuing to build momentum in the Western Conference standings.</p><p><b>Final Trail Blazers-Spurs Prediction &amp; Pick: San Antonio Spurs -6.5 (-110), Over 227.5 (-110)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Trail Blazers vs. Spurs prediction, odds, pick – 12/21/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/blazers-news-anfernee-simons-stuns-nikola-jokic-nuggets-with-epic-game-winner');   ga('set', 'title', 'Blazers’ Anfernee Simons stuns Nikola Jokic, Nuggets with epic game-winner');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blazers-news-Anfernee-Simons-stuns-Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-with-epic-game-winner.jpg"></figure><h1>Blazers’ Anfernee Simons stuns Nikola Jokic, Nuggets with epic game-winner</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T21:39:28-08:00">December 19th, 9:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T21:49:03-08:00">December 19th, 9:49pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-3-key-blazers-drawing-trade-interest">Portland Trail Blazers were in cruise control</a> against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, taking a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter. But the Nuggets have come from behind on multiple occasions this season, and it looked as though they seized momentum of the game for good after Russell Westbrook swallowed up an Anfernee Simons shot leading to a Michael Porter Jr. dunk that gave Denver a two-point lead. However, it was Simons who had the last laugh, as he <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1869978699220824237" rel="noopener">drained a game-winning floater</a> over Westbrook in isolation just as the time expired to give Portland a 122-120 win.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">ANFERNEE SIMONS CALLED GAME ON RUSSELL WESTBROOK AND THE NUGGETS 🚨</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a>)<a href="https://t.co/Cea2J0q7BJ">pic.twitter.com/Cea2J0q7BJ</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1869978699220824237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Simons was on point all night long, and he was the no-brainer pick for the Blazers to give the ball to for the last shot of the game. His isolation on Westbrook was eerily reminiscent of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/paul-george-vs-damian-lillard-a-timeline-of-their-feud">Damian Lillard’s iso against Paul George</a> back in the 2019 NBA playoffs, but this time, Simons drove to the lane and got the step on the Nuggets guard, and all Westbrook could do was flail at the ball to try and swipe it, failing to contest the shot at the apex. This resulted in a pretty easy bucket for Simons who gave the Blazers their ninth win of the season in 27 contests.</p><p>The Blazers breathe a major sigh of relief, especially after Simons slipped in what was a scary moment earlier in the fourth quarter. Simons was making his way to the basket when he slipped on a wet spot near the restricted area, turning the ball over which then led to a Nuggets three-pointer. The 25-year-old guard shrugged off the slip and finished the game off strong, and in the end, he recorded 28 points on 11-20 shooting from the field — a continuation of the trend of good games he’s been having as of late.</p><h2><b>Blazers stave off choke job vs. Nuggets thanks to Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blazers-Anfernee-Simons-smiling.jpg"><figcaption>© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It was apparent in the fourth quarter that the Blazers were a less-experienced team than the Nuggets. They were being outplayed and outhustled, with Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray leading them back from 17 down to pave the way for Nikola Jokic to try and cement the game for Denver. But Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe did just enough to lead Portland across the finish line as the victor.</p><p>Simons and Sharpe combined for 18 of the Blazers’ 22 points in the fourth quarter, with the latter hitting two free throws following a Jokic loose ball foul to give the Blazers a 122-120 lead. Jokic retaliated with an easy basket on the other end, but they left too much time for the Blazers, setting up Simons’ heroics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Blazers’ Anfernee Simons stuns Nikola Jokic, Nuggets with epic game-winner

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/ranking-best-jerami-grant-trade-destinations-amid-blazers-rough-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ranking best Jerami Grant trade destinations amid Blazers’ rough season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ranking-best-Jerami-Grant-trade-destinations-amid-Blazers-rough-season.jpg"></figure><h1>Ranking best Jerami Grant trade destinations amid Blazers’ rough season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T09:22:31-08:00">December 18th, 9:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T09:22:31-08:00">December 18th, 9:22am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In 2022, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-3-key-blazers-drawing-trade-interest">Portland Trail Blazers acquired Jerami Grant</a> in one last-ditch effort to surround Damian Lillard with as much talent as possible. In the end, it was all for naught, as the Blazers finished with a 33-49 record amid another lost season. Trade rumors surrounding Lillard were only growing louder, but the Blazers still decided to put forth one last try to convince their franchise cornerstone to stay — keeping Grant on a five-year, $160 million contract.</p><p>In the end, of course, Lillard still decided to request a trade, and the Blazers granted (pun unintended) this wish of his — leaving the team stuck with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/jerami-grant-grading-blazers-5-year-160-million-contract-in-2023-nba-free-agency">Grant making an average of $32 million per season</a> until the 2027-28 campaign. But now, that may be one of the worst decisions the Blazers have ever made.</p><p>The 2024-25 season has not gone swimmingly at all for Grant; he has had a few good games here and there, but to say that his overall play can be considered good would be a lie. At the time of writing,s the 30-year-old forward is averaging 16.1 points per game — his worst mark since becoming a full-time starter in 2020 — on a true shooting percentage of 53.6, his worst mark since his sophomore campaign.</p><p>The Blazers, for better of for worse, appear stuck with Grant. They are still on the hook for about <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/15391/jerami-grant" rel="noopener">$132 million on his contract</a>, and not too many teams would want to stomach that kind of money for someone who is struggling. Now, the hope for any contending team that will be acquiring Grant is for him to settle into a lower role in the offensive pecking order and become more of a defensive specialist who can hit shots — the same role he had for the last winning team that he played for, the 2019-20 Denver Nuggets.</p><p>With that in mind, here are some teams that could benefit from a trade with the Blazers for Grant.</p><h2><b>3. Indiana Pacers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Tyrese-Haliburton-and-Pascal-Siakam-celebrate-win-against-Celtics.jpg"><figcaption>© Grace Smith/USA Today Network via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Much like Jerami Grant’s 2024-25 season, this current campaign has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pacers-news-tyrese-haliburton-broken-record-latest-pitiful-performance">not gone according to plan</a> for the reigning Eastern Conference finalist Pacers. Despite having the services of Pascal Siakam from the jump, the Pacers have not strung together a consistent run of solid play yet this season, as they have a 12-15 record at the time of writing.</p><p>But the Pacers can thank their lucky stars that they reside in the East and that their slow start to the season hasn’t yet cost them much in terms of playoff positioning. They sit in eighth place in the standings, which puts them right in the thick of the hunt for an outright playoff berth.</p><p>While the Pacers already pushed their chips to the middle of the table when they traded for Siakam, perhaps they can look at Grant as someone who can bolster their wing depth further. The loss of Aaron Nesmith hasn’t been talked about as much, but it’s been clear that Indiana has been missing his 3-and-D contributions on the wing.</p><p>The problem, however, is that the Pacers won’t want to lose both Nesmith and Obi Toppin in a trade for Grant. However, that is the only feasible way for them to match salaries with the Blazers. This will prevent a trade from materializing, but on paper, Grant looks like he’d be a seamless fit alongside Tyrese Haliburton and company.</p><h2><b>2. Miami Heat</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jimmy-Butler_d2e9cf.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Heat appear to be bracing for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-jimmy-butler-warriors-trade-dealt-reality-check-by-nba-insider">life after Jimmy Butler,</a> as the 35-year-old forward who has led them deep into the playoffs on multiple occasions is on the trade block. Now, while Jerami Grant is far from a one for one replacement for Butler, he sure would fit in quite well on the team as someone who can be a dogged defender on the wing as well as someone who can create his own shot in spurts.</p><p>Perhaps the Heat can bring out a bit of a career renaissance from Grant, who has some room for positive regression amid his down 2024-25 campaign. They could build a package around Terry Rozier, who has taken on a full-time bench role in recent weeks, and it shouldn’t take much draft capital, if any, to get the Blazers to trade Grant away.</p><h2><b>1. Sacramento Kings</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DeMar-DeRozan-1.jpg"><figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Kings stand out as a team that is ripe for an upgrade, especially at the forward positions. Considering how many ballhandlers and shot-creators they already have, Jerami Grant won’t have to overextend himself and dribble too much in the event that the Kings trade for him.</p><p>Sacramento can <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-kings-looking-to-make-trade-wing-depth">package Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles in a trade</a> for Grant, and as said previously, given the considerable financial commitment the Blazers still have towards the 30-year-old, it won’t take much for the Blazers to trade him away.</p><p>Grant can then function as the team’s sixth man now that Malik Monk is starting, and he will give the Kings some additional defensive versatility, as he has played in the past as a small-ball center in some lineups. He could also feature in lineups with two big forwards, lining up alongside Keegan Murray, giving the 13-14 Kings more lineup options as they navigate their middling season thus far.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ranking best Jerami Grant trade destinations amid Blazers’ rough season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nuggets-vs-trail-blazers-prediction-odds-pick-12-19-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nuggets-vs-Trail-Blazers-prediction-odds-pic.jpg"></figure><h1>Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T16:35:37-08:00">December 17th, 4:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-17T16:35:37-08:00">December 17th, 4:35pm</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA season continues, and we have a tilt between the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.  It’s time to continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Nuggets-Trail Blazers prediction and pick.</p><p>The upcoming matchup on December 19, 2024, features the <b>Denver Nuggets</b> visiting the <b>Portland Trail Blazers</b> at the Moda Center. The Nuggets (14-10) are riding a three-game winning streak and will look to leverage their star player, Nikola Jokic, who averages 30.9 points per game. Conversely, the Trail Blazers (8-18) are struggling with injuries and have lost six straight games, making this a critical contest for their rebuilding efforts. With both teams facing challenges, the Nuggets are favored to secure a victory against a depleted Blazers squad that lacks consistency this season.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Nuggets-Trail Blazers <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Nuggets-Trail Blazers Odds</b></h2><p>Denver Nuggets: -8.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -355</p><p>Portland Trail Blazers: -8.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +285</p><p>Over: 231.5 (-110)</p><p>Under: 231.5 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers</b></h2><p>Time: 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT</p><p>TV: Altitude, NBA League Pass</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Nuggets Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Denver Nuggets are poised to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in their upcoming matchup on Thursday, primarily due to their superior roster depth and recent form. The Nuggets, led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, boast a potent offense that averages over 119.2 points per game. Jokic’s ability to score, rebound, and facilitate makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Additionally, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. provide essential scoring support, creating a well-rounded attack that the Blazers will struggle to contain. With the Nuggets riding a three-game winning streak, their momentum is palpable.</p><p>On the other hand, the Trail Blazers are grappling with significant injury issues that severely impact their competitiveness. Key players like Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle are sidelined, limiting Portland’s options on both ends of the floor. This lack of depth has contributed to their current six-game losing streak and an overall record of 8-18. The Nuggets are favored by 8.5 points in this matchup, reflecting the disparity in team performance and health. Given these factors, the Nuggets are likely to capitalize on the Blazers’ vulnerabilities and secure a decisive victory at the Moda Center.</p><h2><b>Why the Trail Blazers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Portland Trail Blazers have a solid chance to upset the Denver Nuggets in their matchup on Thursday, thanks to their emerging young talent and the potential for a home-court advantage. Led by Anfernee Simons, who has shown flashes of brilliance with his playmaking and scoring ability, the Blazers are looking to build momentum despite a challenging season. With Donovan Clingan anchoring the frontcourt, Portland can exploit Denver’s defensive lapses, particularly in the paint. Additionally, the Blazers’ recent performances suggest they are gaining confidence and cohesion as a unit.</p><p>Moreover, the Nuggets may be vulnerable due to their inconsistent play this season. With a record of 14-10, they have struggled on the road, which could play into Portland’s hands. The Trail Blazers’ ability to shoot from beyond the arc, led by Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant, could stretch Denver’s defense and create open looks. If Portland can capitalize on these opportunities and maintain defensive intensity, they have a legitimate shot at securing a victory against the Nuggets. The combination of youthful energy and home-court support could be just what the Blazers need to turn their season around.</p><h2><b>Final Nuggets-Trail BlazersPrediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Denver Nuggets (-8.5) are poised to secure a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (+8.5) in their upcoming matchup on Thursday night, at the Moda Center. The Nuggets, riding a three-game winning streak, have shown superior form and consistency compared to the struggling Blazers, who are mired in a six-game losing streak. Denver’s offensive prowess, led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, who is projected to post an impressive 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, will likely overwhelm Portland’s defense. The Nuggets’ average of 119.2 points per game outpaces the Blazers’ 106.9, indicating a significant scoring advantage.</p><p>While Portland has been more competitive against the spread at home (7-5-0), Denver’s road record against the spread (6-7-0) suggests they perform well away from home. The Nuggets’ implied 78.1% win probability further reinforces their favored status. However, the 8.5-point spread presents a challenge. Portland, despite their struggles, has shown resilience against large spreads, going 7-6 against spreads of 8.5 or more points. This factor, combined with the home-court advantage, could keep the game closer than expected. Ultimately, while the Nuggets should secure the win, the Trail Blazers may just cover the spread in a hard-fought contest.</p><p><b>Final Nuggets-Trail Blazers Prediction &amp; Pick: Portland Trail Blazers +8.5 (-110), Over 231.5 (-110)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/trail-blazers-vs-suns-prediction-odds-pick-12-15-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Trail Blazers vs. Suns prediction, odds, pick – 12/15/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Trail-Blazers-vs.-Suns-prediction-odds-pick.jpg"></figure><h1>Trail Blazers vs. Suns prediction, odds, pick – 12/15/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-14T15:12:43-08:00">December 14th, 3:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-14T15:12:43-08:00">December 14th, 3:12pm</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA season continues, and we have a tilt between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.  It’s time to continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Trail Blazers-Suns prediction and pick.</p><p>The <b>Portland Trail Blazers (8-17)</b> aim to break their five-game losing streak when they visit the <b>Phoenix Suns (13-11)</b> on Sunday, December 15, at Footprint Center. The Suns enter as heavy 9.5-point favorites, boasting a more consistent offensive performance averaging 113.9 points per game compared to Portland’s 106.8 points. Devin Booker leads Phoenix with 25.3 points per game, while the Blazers will look to their young talent to spark an upset.  This Western Conference matchup promises competitive action. The game tips off at 8:00 PM ET, with a total point line set at 226 expecting to be a high-scoring affair on Sunday night.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Trail Blazers-Suns <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Trail Blazers-Suns Odds</b></h2><p>Portland Trail Blazers: +9.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +340</p><p>Phoenix Suns: -9.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -430</p><p>Over: 226 (-114)</p><p>Under: 226 (-106)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Trail Blazers vs. Suns </b></h2><p>Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT</p><p>TV: NBA League Pass</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Trail Blazers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Portland Trail Blazers, despite their 8-17 record, are poised to upset the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, December 15. While the Blazers have struggled this season, they’ve shown flashes of potential that could culminate in a surprising victory. Portland’s young talent, led by Scoot Henderson, who’s averaging 5.1 assists per game, has the ability to exploit the Suns’ inconsistent defense. The Blazers’ recent close game against the Spurs, losing by just two points (118-116), demonstrates their ability to compete with stronger opponents. Additionally, Portland’s 13-11-1 record against the spread this season shows they often perform better than expected.</p><p>The Suns, despite their 13-11 record, have been struggling lately, going 3-9 in their last 12 games. Their defensive vulnerabilities, allowing 114.4 points per game (19th in the NBA), present an opportunity for Portland’s offense to thrive. The Blazers’ ability to force turnovers, coupled with the Suns’ tendency to give up the ball, could be a key factor in this matchup. If Portland can capitalize on Phoenix’s recent inconsistencies and maintain their competitive edge, they have a real chance of securing an upset victory. The Blazers’ underdog status might work in their favor, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this Western Conference showdown.</p><h2><b>Why the Suns Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Phoenix Suns are poised to secure a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, December 15, at the Footprint Center. The Suns, with a superior 13-11 record, have a clear advantage over the struggling Blazers, who sit at 8-17. Phoenix’s offensive firepower, led by Devin Booker averaging 25.3 points per game, presents a formidable challenge for Portland’s defense, which allows 116.1 points per game. The Suns’ recent performance, including a 134-126 win against Utah where Booker dropped 34 points, demonstrates their ability to outscore opponents.</p><p>Furthermore, the Suns have dominated recent matchups against the Blazers, winning their last three encounters. Phoenix’s home court advantage, coupled with Portland’s five-game road losing streak, tilts the odds heavily in the Suns’ favor. The Blazers’ defensive vulnerabilities, allowing opponents to shoot 47.5% from the field, play directly into the Suns’ strengths. With the Suns averaging 113.9 points per game compared to Portland’s 106.8, the home team is well-positioned to not only win but potentially cover the 9.5-point spread. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Suns should capitalize on their offensive prowess and the Blazers’ road woes to secure a convincing victory.</p><h2><b>Final Trail Blazers-Suns Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Phoenix Suns (-9.5) are poised to cover the spread against the Portland Trail Blazers (+9.5) in their matchup on Sunday, December 15, at Footprint Center. The Suns, with a 13-11 record, have shown superior offensive capabilities, averaging 113.9 points per game compared to Portland’s 106.8. Led by Devin Booker’s 25.3 points per game, Phoenix’s firepower should overwhelm the Blazers’ defense, which allows 116.1 points per game. The Suns’ recent 134-126 victory against Utah demonstrates their ability to put up big numbers.</p><p>While the Trail Blazers (8-17) have been competitive against the spread this season (13-11-1), they face significant challenges in this matchup. Portland’s five-game losing streak and struggles on the road make covering the 9.5-point spread a daunting task. The Suns have dominated recent encounters with the Blazers, winning their last three meetings. The Suns are well-positioned to not only win but cover the spread. Expect Phoenix’s offensive prowess and home court advantage to lead them to a victory by comfortably covering the 9.5-point spread on the backs of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as they look to put on a show on Sunday night.</p><p><b>Final Trail Blazers-Suns Prediction &amp; Pick: Phoenix Suns -9.5 (-110), Over 226 (-114)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Trail Blazers vs. Suns prediction, odds, pick – 12/15/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/blazers-news-is-donovan-clingan-playing-vs-spurs-latest-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Donovan Clingan playing vs. Spurs? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blazers-news-Is-Donovan-Clingan-playing-vs.-Spurs-Latest-injury-update.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Donovan Clingan playing vs. Spurs? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-13T09:59:23-08:00">December 13th, 9:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-13T09:59:23-08:00">December 13th, 9:59am</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Portland Trail Blazers (8-16) could be with their rookie center Donovan Clingan against the San Antonio Spurs (12-12) after <a href="https://official.nba.com/nba-injury-report-2024-25-season/" rel="noopener">suffering an MCL injury</a>. Luckily for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-donovan-clingan-step-towards-return-injury">Blazers, Clingan took a big step in his return from injury</a>. He was recently cleared for on-court workouts and is considered day-to-day. Although Portland is a young team, having the No. 7 pick back in the lineup will be huge. Especially the fact that the Blazers are playing against center Victor Wembanyama. </p><p>His mix of shooting, versatility, and freakish 7’4 stature makes him a near-impossible guard. However, Clingan’s skill set is matched to combat that. His rim protection, physicality, and timing made him a standout with UConn basketball. Not to mention, he was one of the top players in the country heading into the NBA Draft. Furthermore, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-donovan-clingan-portland-feat-not-seen-since-bill-walton">Clingan accomplished a Blazers feat not seen since Bill Walton</a>.</p><p>He secured 16 consecutive games with a block, which broke Walton’s record of 15. Blocking shots isn’t for the faint of heart, either. It takes strength, timing, and defensive instincts. In 17 minutes this season, Clingan is averaging 2.2 blocks per game. For his 36-minute numbers, that’s 4.6 blocks per game, which would lead the league.</p><h2><b>Donovan Clingan’s injury status vs Spurs</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Donovan-Clingan-with-the-ball.jpg"><figcaption>© Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Blazers will need Clingan’s rim protection against one of the top centers in the league. They’re currently on a four-game losing streak. Even with the plethora of injuries to Blazers players, Clingan’s potential return could have him in line for a big game. Although he’s started in only six games this season, that might be increased to seven for Friday’s contest. He can guard Wembanyama the most effectively, even for being a rookie.</p><p>Clingan spoke during a Tuesday media availability about <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/12/10/24318276/portland-trail-blazers-donovan-clingan-nba-injury-news-scoot-henderson-chauncey-billups-wembanyama" rel="noopener">how he’s feeling in his recovery</a>.</p><p>“I’m feeling good,” Clingan said via BlazersEdge on SB Nation. “I put a lot of time into the rehab and recovery process, really just locking in and making sure I’m doing everything right and taking my time, not rushing anything. … I missed a lot. I’m the most antsy dude that you’ll meet, so sitting on the sideline is not fun, so I’m excited to be back out [there.]”</p><p>In a November game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he showed his true potential. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and an astounding eight blocks in that game. Not to mention, he played only 31 minutes in the win. The 20-year-old has gained the trust of teammates and head coach Chauncey Billups. As a result, he’s started the last five games and has been productive and efficient. The Blazers will need all they can get from Clingan if he’s good to suit up.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Donovan Clingan playing vs. Spurs? Latest injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/ranking-best-robert-williams-iii-trade-destinations-as-blazers-struggle');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ranking best Robert Williams III trade destinations as Blazers struggle');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ranking-best-Robert-Williams-III-trade-destinations-as-Blazers-struggle.jpg"></figure><h1>Ranking best Robert Williams III trade destinations as Blazers struggle</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-13T08:10:18-08:00">December 13th, 8:10am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-13T08:10:18-08:00">December 13th, 8:10am</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The 2024-25 season is shaping up to be another lost one for the Portland Trail Blazers, and for the fourth consecutive year, they are expected to finish at or near the bottom of the Western Conference standings — which would give them another prospect to build around in their rebuild. To that end, it is expected that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-3-key-blazers-drawing-trade-interest">Blazers will play a prominent part</a> in this year’s trade deadline — with Robert Williams III expected to be shopped around the league.</p><p>Williams has two years left on his deal <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/26993/robert-williams-iii" rel="noopener">worth $25.7 million</a>, which makes him quite a bargain for the quality of his production. But as the old adage goes, the best ability is availability, and the 27-year-old center simply hasn’t been able to shake off the injury bug in recent seasons. He missed all but six games of the 2023-24 season with a major knee injury, and upon his return this season, he’s dealt with load management and a concussion — with the latter keeping him out of action at the moment.</p><p>That is the biggest question mark surrounding Williams, although given his upside, there might be a few teams out there that’s willing to take on him in hopes that his injury luck will take a turn for the better soon.</p><h2>3. Houston Rockets</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fred-Van-Vleet-Sengun-Green-Rockets.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>There may be bigger fish for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-perfect-jimmy-butler-trade-offer-amid-heat-rumors">Rockets to fry on the trade market</a>; they have been linked with stars such as Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler since the offseason in the aftermath of re-acquiring their first-round picks, and it makes sense for Houston to up their championship equity with a bold win-now move considering how good their young core already is.</p><p>But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-news-gm-pours-cold-water-on-jimmy-butler-trade-rumors">Rockets general manager Rafael Stone</a> has been adamant about maintaining the team’s continuity, and rightfully so. They have a 17-8 record, which is good for second in the West at the moment, and the worst thing to do in this situation may be to cut roster-building corners. There is plenty of risk in such a maneuver, especially in a trade for Butler, who is already 35 years of age and has been injury-prone over the past few years.</p><p>However, this doesn’t mean that the Rockets simply must do nothing to improve the roster. Young teams are rarely this good, and there may be an opportunity to round out the roster without gutting the team’s core pieces. And with that, Robert Williams III could be a worthwhile trade target for Houston.</p><p>Backup center has been a bit of a pain point for the Rockets this season; Steven Adams isn’t back to his old form, and Jock Landale, while he has his merits, isn’t the kind of center that’s suited for playoff basketball. Houston has been going small whenever Alperen Sengun needs to rest, with Jabari Smith Jr. mainly filling the role of backup center.</p><p>With Williams, the Rockets can up the quality of their defense even further; the defense of bench units with Williams, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason will be a nightmare to deal with. And with his salary of $12.4 million, the Rockets only need to build a trade offer around Adams — greasing the wheels even further.</p><h2><b>2. Indiana Pacers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Myles-Turner-after-a-made-basket.jpg"><figcaption>© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Defense has long been a weak spot for the Pacers. This season is no different. At present, they <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense?dir=D&amp;sort=DEF_RATING" rel="noopener">rank 24th</a> in defensive rating, allowing 116.0 points per 100 possessions. For a team with contending aspirations, this simply will not cut it, especially when their offense hasn’t yet clicked this season.</p><p>The problem is that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-what-pacers-seeking-trade-market">Pacers have non-existent big-man depth</a>. They are literally relying on Obi Toppin to function as the backup center, and that is simply a recipe for defensive disaster. Isaiah Jackson is out for the season, making it an urgent need for Indiana to address their frontcourt woes.</p><p>It will be hard for the Pacers to match salaries to bring in Robert Williams III, however. They will have to give up Jarace Walker in such a trade, and giving up on Walker, the eighth overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, at this point feels a bit too early. Figuring out the risk-reward calculus will be the Pacers’ M.O. for the next few or so weeks.</p><h2><b>1. Los Angeles Lakers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Anthony-Davis-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Lakers’ passiveness has run its course. Despite their promising start, the Lakers have been realizing that their current roster won’t be getting them anywhere far. And for a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way, this simply cannot be the case.</p><p>They have a ton of needs to address. They need a better secondary ballhandler/shot-creator than D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves and they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/6-trades-lakers-must-consider-before-season-slips-away">need a defensive stopper as well</a>. But it might be easier for the Purple and Gold to address the team’s biggest weakness — defense — by adding a big man that could come at a discount in Robert Williams III thanks to his injury history.</p><p>Jarred Vanderbilt, a man as frequently seen on the court as Bigfoot himself, could be the main piece going to the Blazers in a Williams trade, with Jalen Hood-Schifino also being given an opportunity to play for a rebuilding team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ranking best Robert Williams III trade destinations as Blazers struggle

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/spurs-vs-trail-blazers-prediction-odds-pick-12-13-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Spurs vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/13/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spurs-vs.-Trail-Blazers-prediction-odds-pick.jpg"></figure><h1>Spurs vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/13/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-12T14:27:28-08:00">December 12th, 2:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-12T20:24:56-08:00">December 12th, 8:24pm</time><address><a>Dominik Zawartko</a>Dominik Zawartko is a Michigan State graduate with a degree in Political Science and English. Having previously worked in the nonprofit and legal sectors, he decided to pursue his true love of writing with ClutchPoints. Dominik's hobbies include painting, cooking food, training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and always having a laugh. His main focus areas are UFC coverage and all things sneakers.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>We’re back with another installment of our NBA betting predictions and picks as we head to the Western Conference for this tilt between surging teams. The <b>San Antonio Spurs (12-12) </b>will take on the <b>Portland Trail Blazers (8-16) </b>as both teams try to bounce back following recent losses. It’s time to continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Spurs-Trail Blazers prediction and pick.</p><p>The San Antonio Spurs are currently fourth in the Southwest Division after most recently beating the New Orleans Pelicans 121-116. The win snapped a three-game losing streak, as they’ve now gone 2-3 over their last five. They won their first meeting against Portland 118-105 and will be favored to do so again in this one.</p><p>The Portland Trail Blazers are currently fourth in the Northwest Division, and they recently lost 98-107 against the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve now dropped four straight games and have gone just 1-6 over their last seven, so they’re desperately hoping to get back to a respectable record with a win here.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Spurs-Trail Blazers <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener sponsored">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Spurs-Trail Blazers Odds</b></h2><p>San Antonio Spurs: -3.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -166</p><p>Portland Trail Blazers: +3.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +140</p><p>Over: 224 (-110)</p><p>Under: 224 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Spurs vs. Trail Blazers</b></h2><p>Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT</p><p>TV: FanDuel SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Spurs Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The San Antonio Spurs come into this game after having trailed for most of their contest against the Spurs but managed to take the lead in the fourth quarter and hold on for the win. Veteran leader Chris Paul moved into second all-time in assists with 10 in the game, while Victor Wembanyama added 25 points and 10 rebounds. Although they’re still working to get above .500 on the season, the presence of Chris Paul has given this team new life with someone to distribute the basketball effectively.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The interview you’ve been waiting for… <a href="https://twitter.com/tonyparker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tonyparker</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CP3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CP3</a> sit down and talk about their impressive NBA careers, shared All-Star memories, meetings in the playoffs, and more in this exclusive interview!</p><p>🎥 Full video: <a href="https://t.co/KO6dQUAMps">https://t.co/KO6dQUAMps</a> <a href="https://t.co/vCUZL84CWF">pic.twitter.com/vCUZL84CWF</a></p><p>— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) <a href="https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1866981294405451918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><br>The Spurs are also one of the better defensive teams in the West, thanks to Victor Wembanyama’s presence in the paint. He’s currently leading the betting odds to win Defensive Player of the Year, so the Spurs can certainly stand to win games against teams struggling to score the ball. Look for rookie Stephon Castle to continue his improved play as he sees valuable minutes with Keldon Johnson missing incremental time.</p></figure><h2><b>Why the Trail Blazers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to find their footing after four-straight losses to Western Conference opponents. While their lineup has done great work this season in building their chemistry and finding reliable scoring, their efforts on the defensive end still need some work if they want to contend with a stacked Western Conference. Shaedon Sharpe continues to lead the team in scoring, while Scoot Henderson has expanded his role this season as a primary distributor for the offense.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">TURN US UP, SHAE 🗣️ <a href="https://t.co/eKzGNo9JIP">pic.twitter.com/eKzGNo9JIP</a></p><p>— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1865245175863488818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><br>Despite standing across from Victor Wembanyama in the paint, Deandre Ayton managed to be the leading scorer for the Trail Blazers their last time out against the Spurs with 21 points and 10 rebounds of his own. When he’s commanding attention in the paint, it opens the lane for players like Anfernee Simons or Jerami Grant to attack the rim and work from mid-range. Still, the Trail Blazers will need a better collective effort from the field if they want to find the win this time around.</p></figure><h2><b>Final Spurs-Trail Blazers Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Spurs and Trail Blazers will meet for the second time this season after the Spurs took to first meeting 118-105. While the Spurs are short favorites, they’re certainly playing better basketball at the moment, and the Trail Blazers have had an equally tough time scoring the ball.</p><p>Still, the Spurs are just 11-13 ATS on the season, while Portland has gone 12-12 ATS. The Spurs are just 3-6 on the road this year while going 4-5 ATS in those games. They’re also just 1-5 ATS in their last six games.</p><p>While the Spurs may not trend towards covering the spread in this game, we still like them to win behind the efforts of Victor Wembanyama and the increased involvement of the San Antonio bench. They’re fully capable of being successful on the road, so let’s roll with the Spurs to win this game outright on the solid moneyline price.</p><p><b>Final Spurs-Trail Blazers Prediction &amp; Pick: San Antonio Spurs ML (-166)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Spurs vs. Trail Blazers prediction, odds, pick – 12/13/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/blazers-news-donovan-clingan-step-towards-return-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Blazers’ Donovan Clingan takes big step towards return from injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blazers-news-Donovan-Clingan-takes-big-step-towards-return-from-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Blazers’ Donovan Clingan takes big step towards return from injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-10T12:56:24-08:00">December 10th, 12:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-10T12:56:24-08:00">December 10th, 12:56pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It’s been a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/trail-blazers-biggest-disappointment-early-2024-25-season">rough season for the Portland Trail Blazers</a> so far this year, as the team currently sits at 8-16 following Sunday evening’s road loss vs the Los Angeles Lakers. The team has already dealt with a vast amount of injuries so far this year and has also frequently found its name pop up on the trade rumor mill as opposing organizations speculate on whether or not they may be willing to part with some of their veteran players.</p><p>One of the injuries the Blazers have dealt with this year was to rookie big man Donovan Clingan, who has missed the last seven games with a left MCL sprain. However, recently, the team got <a href="https://x.com/highkin/status/1866562811565936673" rel="noopener">a positive update</a> about Clingan’s status moving forward.</p><p>“Blazers say Donovan Clingan has been cleared for on-court workouts and will be considered day-to-day moving forward,” reported Sean Highkin of rosegardenreport.com on X.</p><p>Clingan got off to a strong start to his rookie campaign after being drafted in the lottery out of UConn this past June. When everyone’s healthy (which is rare), head coach Chauncey Billups has had some interesting decisions to make as to how to split up minutes between Clingan, Deandre Ayton, and Robert Williams III, each of whom can really only play the center position and have different skillsets that they bring to the table.</p><p>Currently, Clingan is averaging 5.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, but his most impressive statistic is 2.2 blocks per game, as rim protection was indeed a big reason why the Blazers were willing to take a swing on him so high up in the draft.</p><p>In any case, up next for the Blazers is a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, December 13 after four straight off days this week. That game is slated to tip off at 10:00 PM ET from Portland.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Blazers’ Donovan Clingan takes big step towards return from injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rumors-3-key-blazers-drawing-trade-interest');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: 3 key Blazers drawing trade interest');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NBA-rumors-3-key-Blazers-drawing-trade-interest.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: 3 key Blazers drawing trade interest</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-10T09:25:56-08:00">December 10th, 9:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-10T09:25:56-08:00">December 10th, 9:25am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Portland Trail Blazers may undergo a significant roster shake-up as multiple teams express interest in three key players: Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, and Robert Williams III, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.</p><p>“Multiple teams have begun expressing interest in a group of Portland’s veterans — Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons and Robert Williams III — as the Trail Blazers make decisions on the roster, sources said,” Charania <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/42878390/shams-charania-nba-pass-trade-intel-jimmy-butler-brandon-ingram-golden-state-warriors" rel="noopener">reported</a>.</p><p>With the Trail Blazers sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference with an 8-16 record, the team could look to offload valuable veterans and fully commit to a rebuilding phase. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-bronny-james-rookie-treatment-lebron-anthony-davis">recent 107-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers</a> highlighted ongoing struggles for Portland, making trade discussions even more pressing.</p><h2><b>Jerami Grant a high-priced two-way scorer with veteran leadership</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jerami-Grant-9-drives-past-Los-Angeles-Lakers-forward-Anthony-Davis-3.jpg"><figcaption>© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Jerami Grant, one of the most experienced players on the Trail Blazers’ roster, signed a lucrative five-year, $160 million contract in the 2023 offseason. The deal includes a $36.4 million player option for the 2027-28 season. This year, Grant is earning $29.7 million, making him the team’s most expensive player.</p><p>Grant is currently averaging 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, and one steal per game while shooting 38% from the field and 35.5% from three. His production has dipped compared to last season when he averaged 21 points per game on 45.1% shooting. Grant’s availability has also been a concern, as injuries limited him to 54 games last season.</p><p>Despite these challenges, Grant remains an appealing target for teams seeking a versatile forward who can contribute on both ends of the floor. His ability to stretch the defense and defend multiple positions makes him a valuable asset, even as his contract could present a financial hurdle for potential suitors.</p><h2><b>Anfernee Simons a rising star with scoring upside</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Anfernee-Simons-1-shoots-against-Los-Angeles-Clippers-guard-Amir-Coffey-7.jpg"><figcaption>© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Anfernee Simons, now in his seventh NBA season, signed a four-year, $100 million extension in the 2022 offseason. With two years remaining on his contract, Simons is earning $25.9 million this season and $27.7 million next season.</p><p>This season, Simons is averaging 16.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40.1% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. These numbers <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/trail-blazers-biggest-disappointment-early-2024-25-season">represent a decline from his breakout 2023-24 campaign</a>, during which he averaged 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 38.5% from deep. However, injuries have continued to impact Simons’ availability, as he played in just 46 games last season.</p><p>At just 25 years old, Simons remains a hot commodity due to his scoring potential and ability to create shots off the dribble. Teams in need of backcourt depth and offensive firepower may find his relatively team-friendly contract appealing, especially given his age and room for growth.</p><h2><b>Robert Williams III a coveted big man with durability concerns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jalen-Williams-8-drives-to-the-basket-against-Portland-Trail-Blazers-center-Robert-Williams-III-35.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-celtics-blazers-jrue-holiday-blockbuster-trade">Robert Williams III, who joined the Blazers in the Jrue Holiday trade</a> last offseason, is arguably the most sought-after of Portland’s veterans. The 7-year center signed a four-year, $54 million deal with the Boston Celtics in 2021. He is set to earn $12.4 million this season and $13.3 million next season, making him an affordable option for contenders.</p><p>Known for his defensive versatility and efficiency, Williams is averaging 9.6 points, six rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting a stellar 71.1% from the field. However, injuries have been a persistent issue throughout his career. Williams has only played seven games this season and has missed the last six <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-jerami-grant-robert-williams-iii-exit-grizzlies-game-with-concerning-injuries">due to a concussion</a>.</p><p>The center’s history of durability issues includes never playing more than 65 games in a season and being limited to 41 games total in the past two seasons. Despite these setbacks, his ability to anchor a defense and contribute in limited minutes makes him an attractive target for teams in need of a reliable rim protector.</p><h2><b>NBA Trade season approaches</b></h2><p>As the December 15 date looms, when many players become trade-eligible, speculation around the Blazers’ veterans is expected to intensify ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Grant, Simons, and Williams each offer unique skill sets that could help contending teams address critical roster needs.</p><p>Portland faces a pivotal decision on whether to retain its veteran core or embrace a full rebuild. While the injury histories of these players may give some teams pause, their potential impact when healthy could make them high-risk, high-reward additions for playoff-bound franchises.</p><p>The central question remains: Can they stay healthy?</p><p>The Trail Blazers’ current standing in the Western Conference adds urgency to these trade discussions, as the franchise looks to chart its future path amid growing interest in its most valuable assets.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: 3 key Blazers drawing trade interest

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/trail-blazers-vs-lakers-prediction-odds-pick-12-8-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Trail Blazers vs. Lakers prediction, odds, pick – 12/8/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Trail-Blazers-vs.-Lakers-prediction-odds-pick-12_8_2024.jpg"></figure><h1>Trail Blazers vs. Lakers prediction, odds, pick – 12/8/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-07T20:25:45-08:00">December 7th, 8:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-07T20:25:45-08:00">December 7th, 8:25pm</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' Betting team. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon. Rob went 29-31 against tge spread in November and 43-17 overall.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Portland Trail Blazers will travel to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Two Western Conference teams clash at Crypto as we share our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Trail Blazers-Lakers prediction and pick.</p><p>The Lakers lead the head-to-head series 130-114. Significantly, this will be the first meeting of the season. The Lakers swept the series last season, covering the spread in two of three games, including one of two at home. Overall, the Lakers are 7-3 over the past 10 games against the Blazers, including 4-1 in the last five games at Crypto.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Trail Blazers-Lakers <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Trail Blazers-Lakers Odds</b></h2><p>Portland Trail Blazers: +9 (-112)</p><p>Moneyline: +300</p><p>Los Angeles Lakers: -9 (-108)</p><p>Moneyline: -375</p><p>Over: 225.5 (-110)</p><p>Under: 225.5 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Trail Blazers vs. Lakers</b></h2><p>Time: 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT</p><p>TV: SportsNet LA and KATU</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Trail Blazers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Trail Blazers are having another bad season, and it continued on Friday after they suffered an embarrassing 141-99 defeat at home to the Utah Jazz. Ultimately, this loss was so bad because it was in front of their fans and against a team that was worse than them. Despite having the home court, it did not prevent them from falling into a 33-17 hole after one or a 67-44 deficit at halftime.</p><p>It was not surprising that the offense struggled. After all, the Blazers rank 25th in points. They also rank 28th in field-goal shooting percentage, including 25th from the triples. The Trail Blazers are not that good at shooting from the charity stripe, as they come into this game ranked 25th in free-throw shooting percentage. Likewise, the Blazers don’t do well on the boards; they are 22nd in rebounds. Portland is also sloppy with the basketball, ranking 27th in turnovers. If there is one thing the Blazers do well, it’s defend. They are currently fifth in blocked shots.</p><p>Shaedon Sharpe is their leading scorer, averaging 17.3 points per game. However, he only shoots 43 percent from the floor, including 28 percent from the triples. Anfernee Simons is averaging 16.6 points per game. Yet, he also is struggling to shoot, hitting just 40.2 percent of his shots. Jerami Grant is also scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game but shooting poorly, making 39.3 percent of his shots. Deandre Ayton is averaging 14.3 points per game. Amazingly, he is the best shooter on the team, converting 55.9 percent of his shots.</p><p>The Trail Blazers will cover the spread if they can convert on their shooting chances. Then, they must force the Lakers to turn the ball over.</p><h2><b>Why the Lakers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Lakers’ misery continued on Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks after Trae Young hit a game-winner, handing them their third consecutive defeat. Despite the loss, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-optimistic-outlook-after-crushing-loss-vs-hawks">LeBron James is optimistic</a> that things will change and the Lakers will regain their footing. Things have changed from the start of the season, and this three-game losing streak has exposed many weaknesses for the Lakers.</p><p>The Lakers rank 16th in points, as they have not scored as much lately. Additionally, they have fallen to 10th in field-goal shooting percentage, including 17th in three-point shooting percentage. The Lakers are also 13th in free-throw shooting percentage. After doing well on the boards over the past few seasons, the Lakers have struggled, falling to 27th in total rebounds. But they have improved in handling the basketball, as the Lakers are sixth in turnovers. Yet, their defense this week has been awful, and it shows in their current status, as they are 24th in blocked shots.</p><p>James is still doing well, averaging 23 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor. Likewise, Anthony Davis has been doing well, averaging 27.4 points per game while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. But his rebound numbers are down from last season, indicating a more urgent need for him to do better. The Lakers were again without Austin Reaves on Friday, and there is no telling if he will be available for this game. Therefore, the Lakers need D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht to pick up the slack.</p><p>The Lakers will cover the spread if James and Davis can convert on their shooting chances and others can step up. Then, the Lakers need to play better defense to put Portland away.</p><h2><b>Final Trail Blazers-Lakers Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Trail Blazers are 12-10-1 against the spread, while the Lakers are 9-14 against the odds. Moreover, the Blazers are 6-5-1 against the spread on the road, while the Lakers are 5-5 against the odds at home. The Trail Blazers are 10-10-1 against the spread when facing the Western Conference, while the Lakers are 6-9 against the odds when facing the West. Consequently, the Lakers’ recent struggles will keep this close as the Blazers cover on the road.</p><p><b>Final Trail Blazers-Lakers Prediction &amp; Pick: Portland Trail Blazers: +9 (-112)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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