Lakers Host Trail Blazers in NBA Cup Group Play

The Western Conference’s second-place Lakers, 7-2, face the first-place Trail Blazers, 6-1, in a group-stage game of the NBA Cup. The game is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST in Los Angeles. The listed betting line favors the Lakers by 3.5 points, with an over-under of 238.5.

Portland won the teams’ first meeting this season, 136-129, on October 28. Deni Avdija scored 23 points for the Trail Blazers in that game.

In the 2025-26 season, the Lakers finished 53-29 overall and 33-19 against Western Conference opponents, with a 28-13 home record. They averaged 116.3 points per game, shooting 50.2% from the field and 35.9% from three-point range.

Portland finished 42-40 overall and 29-23 in conference games last season. The Trail Blazers averaged 19.2 points off turnovers, 18.5 second-chance points and 34.9 points from their bench.

The Lakers will be without Adou Thiero, who is out with a knee injury. Portland lists Shaedon Sharpe (meniscus), Vit Krejci (ankle) and Ja Morant (hamstring) as out.