Blazers vs London Prediction 12 October 2026
🏀 Monday brings us one of the most unique NBA preseason matchups as the Portland Trail Blazers host the London Lions. The visitors are set to make history as the first British team ever to face an NBA franchise. For Lions head coach Tautvydas Sabonis, this game carries significance far beyond basketball. His father, Arvydas Sabonis, is a legendary Lithuanian center who spent seven seasons with Portland at the turn of the century and became an iconic figure for Trail Blazers fans during that era.
Head-to-Head
📊These two sides have never faced each other before.
Portland have assembled a playoff-caliber roster.
According to media reports, Portland will have all their key players available for this high-profile matchup - Lillard, Morant, Avdija, Holiday, and others are set to feature. Even if Lillard and Morant see limited minutes, the Blazers’ second and third units are on a completely different level compared to London. In their first preseason outing against Golden State (123-118), the Oregon side already showed they’re in solid shape for October.
Lillard is coming off an Achilles injury, so his playing time will be closely managed. Still, against their British opponents, coach Nori is likely to focus on testing the team’s depth and experimenting with new rotations rather than tailoring tactics to the specific opposition. Portland boast Hanxen and Clingan - two towering centers-plus Williams, an elite shot-blocker. The Lions’ backcourt simply can’t match up physically with this trio. Even if the starters only log 15-20 minutes each, Portland’s bench has more than enough quality to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the contest.
Match Results: Portland Trail Blazers
London Lions: Evans and the Rest
London Lions simply aren’t in the same league as Portland, and this matchup is more about image than competition - made possible largely thanks to the strong ties between head coach Sabonis’s father and the Trail Blazers franchise. The Lions’ top asset is Evans. The American point guard is on loan from Zalgiris, having previously suited up for Olympiacos and Maccabi Tel Aviv. This season, he’s proving his worth for the English club even after a series of serious injuries - he dropped 21 points in a EuroCup clash against Tenerife, leading the Lions to an 89-77 victory.
But one player alone can’t take on an NBA team. The Lions’ other key signing is Lewis, also on loan from Zalgiris. In September, the British side took part in the London Tournament, facing off against Zalgiris, Paris, and Slask Wroclaw, with mixed results. Still, the Lions’ system revolves around Evans. However, Portland’s backcourt - featuring Holiday, Henderson, and Sharpe - has the defensive chops to stifle Evans’s pace and creativity. If they manage to neutralize the point guard, London’s offense is likely to grind to a halt.
Match Results: London Lions
Total Points Prediction
Portland have failed to score more than 123.5 points in each of their last 10 NBA games. At home, the Blazers have also stayed under this mark in eight consecutive outings. Back Portland individual total under 123.5 at odds of 1.76.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
A major upset seems unlikely in this matchup: Portland are expected to cruise to a comfortable win on their home court. Still, the British side could produce some exciting stretches in the opening half while both teams are settling into the game. However, in the second half, the NBA outfit’s superior depth and freshness should become overwhelming. The gap in class is simply massive. While the Lions dominate the British league, the athleticism, roster depth, and tactical discipline of NBA teams are on another level entirely. Even if Lillard and Morant only log 15 minutes each, Holiday, Henderson, and Sharpe coming off the bench are more than capable of building a 35+ point advantage. Our pick: Blazers to win with a -33.5 handicap.
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