No. 1 Blazers meet No. 2 Lakers in NBA Cup rematch on Prime

The Portland Trail Blazers (6-1) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (7-2) tonight at 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video from Crypto.com Arena. The NBA billed it as the West's No. 1 against No. 2 in Emirates NBA Cup West Group C. DraftKings lists the Lakers as a 3.5-point favorite with a 231.5 total. ESPN's matchup predictor gives Los Angeles about a 55% chance.

Damian Lillard is back in Los Angeles with Portland, per the NBA and NBA on Prime. Luka Doncic leads the Lakers at 38.5 points and 8.0 assists a game. Deni Avdija leads the Blazers at 23.4 points and 6.4 assists. Both clubs enter on three-game win streaks.

Tale of the tape

1. West standings. Portland is first in the West at 6-1. Los Angeles is second at 7-2. Portland averages 121.9 points; Los Angeles averages 121.8.
2. Star columns. Doncic 38.5 points and 8.0 assists. Avdija 23.4 and 6.4. Donovan Clingan leads Portland in rebounds at 10.6. Walker Kessler leads the Lakers at 10.2.
3. Season series. Portland leads 1-0 after winning 136-129 on Oct. 27 at Crypto.com Arena, confirmed on ESPN's game summary. Avdija scored 23 in that win, per the AP preview.
4. Injury report. Portland lists Shaedon Sharpe (meniscus), Vit Krejci (ankle) and Ja Morant (hamstring) out. Los Angeles lists Adou Thiero out with a knee injury, per the ESPN/AP preview.
5. Cup stakes. A West Group C win early in the Cup slate separates two of the conference's hottest starts on national TV.

Venue spotlight: Crypto.com Arena

Tip is indoors in downtown Los Angeles. The Lakers call this their first home NBA Cup game of the week on Prime, per the team's post. Lillard's return and Doncic's scoring average give the building a second-meeting feel before Thanksgiving.

Why it matters

West 1 versus West 2 on Prime is the late Friday headliner. Portland already beat these Lakers once without needing a soft schedule excuse. Los Angeles gets the home spread and Doncic's 38.5, while Portland leans on Avdija, Clingan and Lillard with Morant and Sharpe sidelined. Cup group points start counting tonight.