I'm truly getting sick of the NBA. Luka Doncic just had two weeks off and he can't play the second of a B2B? Yeah, not a fan of that guy as he could be maybe the best ever if, you know, just cut down from four-cheese lasagna to three. LeBron apparently will play but also played 38 minutes last night. For these purposes, I'm actually glad he is. The Blazers' young guys will be fired up. If he and Luka were both out, might be one of those games where the home team just takes it for granted and loses. See that a lot in college basketball.

A makeup game on Wednesday has forced L.A. into back-to-backs coming out of the all-star game pause. Luka Doncic, who endured 33 mostly forgettable minutes in a setback to Charlotte, sits out this roadie with calf issues, which likely forces LeBron James into significant minutes despite his own minor ailment. Portland swept its final five home dates straight-up prior to the break, and its closing three-game slide can be forgiven: The last two losses happened in Denver. The Trail Blazers are wrestling with injury concerns, but the time off could enhance their fitness status.

The Lakers are on the second half of a back to back. They lost to the Hornets last night, at home. Portland has been a covering machine lately and right now the Lakers have no idea what they are. Don't hesitate to sprinkle on the moneyline too.

Donovan Clingan is going to get all the minutes he can handle tonight as the Blazers frontcourt is completely decimated by injuries and are missing Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, Jerami Grant. I expect Clingan to play upwards of 30+ minutes and in his previous two outings hes looked very impressive posting PR lines of 28 and 37. He gets a tasty matchup in a game thats projected to be competitive against the Lakers who have minimal front court size and lackluster depth. I believe this line should be between 22.5 and 23.5.