2012 NBA Pre Season: Trail Blazers Face Lakers in First Game of the Pre-season

Date/Time: Wed, Oct 10 / 10:00:00 PM ET, Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

This Thursday night, Kobey Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will head to the Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, to face the Portland Trail Blazers in their second game of the 2012 NBA pre-season.

Los Angeles coming from a 110-83 loss against the Golden State Warriors in the preseason opener for both teams held on Sunday.  Kobe Bryant and Ron “Metta World Peace” Artest each scored 10 points and Pau Gasol netted nine for the Lakers.

Former Phoenix Suns Point Guard Steve Nash made his Laker debut and finished with five points and three assists, while LA's major new face, center Dwight Howard, remained sidelined as he recovers from offseason back surgery. Howard was cleared this week for limited contact but will not play in tonight's contest.

The Lakers, who lost to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semifinals last season, held a 56-49 lead at the break, but once the Lakers starters left the contest, Golden State took the lead after outscoring Los Angeles 37-10 in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Portland will kick off their preseason tonight against the Lakers. The Trail Blazers, who finished 28-38 in 2011-12, closed the season fourth place in the Northwest Division. The team is led by 6 ft 11 in, 240-pound power forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge, who averaged 21.7 points and eight rebounds per game in 2012.

The Pre Season game vs. L.A will also mark the debut of two new starters in 2012: center J.J. Hickson and rookie guard Damian Lilllard. Hickson, who was drafted 19th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2008 NBA Draft, played several games for the Sacramento Kings before Portland claimed the player in March, 2012.

Lillard, a 6'3" guard from Oakland High School in Oakland, California, was drafted as the #6 pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard was named co-MVP of the 2012 NBA Summer League, while averaging 26.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists

Looking For NBA Lines and Odds? Find the latest odds on NBA basketball games online, updated instantly and automatically without leaving the comfort of your home.

Game Odds:
Portland Trail Blazers: +5½-110
Los Angeles Lakers: 5½-110

Upcoming Games:

Portland Trailblazers:
Wednesday October 10: Portland at  L.A. Lakers (10:00 PM)
Friday, October 12: Portland vs Phoenix (10:00 PM)
Monday, October 15: Portland vs Sacramento (10:00 PM)
Wednesday, October 17: Denver vs Portland (10:00 PM)
Friday, October 19: Golden State vs Portland (10:00 PM)
Monday, October 22: Utah vs Portland (10:00 PM)
Thursday, October 25: Portland at Utah (9:00 PM)

Los Angeles Lakers:

Wednesday October 10:  Lakers vs Portland (10:00 PM)
Saturday, October 13: Lakers vs Utah  (7:30 PM)
Tuesday, October 16: Lakers vs Utah (7:00 PM)
Friday, October 19: Lakers vs Sacramento (7:00 PM)
Sunday, October 21: Lakers vs Sacramento (6:30 PM)
Wednesday, October 24: Lakers @ L.A. Clippers (7:30 PM)
Thursday, October 25: Lakers vs Sacramento Preseason (7:00 pm)