Few teams in NBA history have leaned more heavily on one superstar than the Portland Trail Blazers. Now they may have to play without him: the latest Damian Lillard injury report reveals the star guard is questionable tonight with a left ankle sprain. Lillard missed action early in the year with a right calf strain, so this issue appears unrelated. Bettors must seriously consider whether Damian Lillard is playing tonight before placing their wagers.
The Trail Blazers will tip off against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 10 p.m. ET. That means bettors and NBA DFS players may have to go without an update until late this evening. Those looking for an edge should heed this advice or check out the OddsShopper tools for sharp NBA bets. Bettors can also try out a one-week free trial of NBA Bet Pro to access cutting-edge betting projections that will update once the Blazers announce Lillard’s official status.
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Damian Lillard Injury Update – NBA Betting Impact
Lillard didn’t exit Portland’s last game with an issue. He played a whopping 39 minutes on his way to a 30-point showing in the three-point loss. Lillard has averaged an astronomical 36 minutes per game since his return from injury in mid-December and has played 40-plus minutes in three of his last six games. Portland may opt to reduce the 32-year-old veteran’s usage tonight.
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The Blazers have a tough home matchup against the 26-16 Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Cleveland has gone only 6-12-2 against the spread on the road. They failed to cover a 2.5-point spread against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday after starting center Jarrett Allen played poorly before exiting early with an undisclosed illness. Allen is probable for tonight’s matchup. The Cavaliers may also get Ricky Rubio back from an ACL tear he suffered late last season, as the veteran point guard is questionable.
Portland currently sits at 11th in the Western Conference and could seriously use a win. But if Lillard can’t go, he will Justise Winslow and Nassir Little in sitting this one out. Anfernee Simons will have to play an expanded role if Lillard sits, and Gary Payton II may see a significant uptick in usage now that he has returned from the injury he suffered in last year’s playoffs.
Cavaliers-Trail Blazers NBA Betting & DFS Advice
Lillard’s frightening recent workload puts his status in genuine question for tonight’s matchup. Lillard hasn’t played 40-plus regular season minutes in three games during a six-game stretch since early in the 2020-21 campaign. The Blazers worked to limit his usage and even gave him a night off soon afterward. Still, Lillard is projected for the 13th-most points in NBA DFS tonight across 36.4 minutes — not quite enough to pay off his $9,600 at DraftKings. If he sits, Simons ($6,500) might become chalk.
The Cavaliers are 3-point favorites at both DraftKings and FanDuel after opening with a 1-point advantage. Pinnacle, a sharp sportsbook, has the same spread but with the juice stacked on Cleveland. Pregame reports that 98% of the cash has come in on Cleveland. VSiN, which indexes bets placed at DraftKings, reports that 89% of the cash has come in on Cleveland. It’s early, but both the betting markets and the early action suggest Lillard may not play or won’t play much.
Bettors who think Lillard will sit should head to DraftKings to back the Cavaliers as 3-point favorites. Getting the -3 before definitive news about Lillard’s status comes out would likely score bettors some closing-line value (CLV). Those new to DraftKings can earn $200 in bonus bets with a $5 wager. Bettors in Ohio can score the same deal but via this link instead!
