Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Pelicans preview and betting guide
By Andy Quach
The Portland Trail Blazers will try to reach a three-game win streak tonight, for just the second time this season, when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 5 PM Pacific Time.
In their last two games, the Trail Blazers have taken down the Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies, with Damian Lillard rounding into MVP form. In those two contests, Dame averaged 37.5 points and 6.5 assists, shooting 55 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point land.
If Lillard can continue his regression to the mean, there’s no reason the Trail Blazers shouldn’t emerge victorious over a limping Pelicans team — hopefully, with relative ease.
Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Pelicans preview
The New Orleans Pelicans are on a two-game win streak of their own, recently edging out the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks. On the season, though, the Pellies sit at just 10-21. That record has them tied with the Houston Rockets for the worst mark in the Western Conference.
With Zion Williamson sidelined — further discouraged by a recent setback — New Orleans has seemed rather rudderless for the majority of the season. Brandon Ingram has continued to play like a borderline-All-Star, and Jonas Valanciunas has proved to be a shrewd offseason addition. Unfortunately, the lackluster performances of new point guard Devonte’ Graham and 2019 17th-overall pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker have kept the Pelicans in the basement of the West.
Despite their glutton of theoretical scorers, New Orleans has struggled heavily on offense so far this season. They’re currently putting up just 106.1 points per 100 possessions, 25th in the league. This ranking is highly influenced by their inability to score from beyond the arc; they’re currently 28th in the league on 3-pointers made per game at 11 and 22nd in 3-point percentage at 33.9 percent.
The Pelicans’ defense has been equally as uninspiring — though still slightly better than the Portland Trail Blazers’ — allowing over 111 points per 100 possessions.
Although Valanciunas has been spectacular on offense, his interior defense has left plenty to be desired. New Orleans overall is allowing opponents to shoot 65.3 percent at the rim, fourth-worst in the NBA.
The Trail Blazers’ slashers should be able to feast in the paint tonight.
Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Pelicans betting guide
Spread: New Orleans Pelicans -1.5
Despite the New Orleans Pelicans’ multitude of struggles this season, WynnBet is still giving the home team the nod in this one.
This is certainly influenced by the Trail Blazers’ complete inability to compete on the road this season, as they just notched their second victory away from the Moda Center on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Since Portland is still by far the more talented team, WynnBet has this one marked as basically a toss-up. The Trail Blazers are at a mere +100 to win outright.
Take the point and a half here and expect Portland to win with the spread. Personally, I would take the +100 for a Blazers moneyline triumph .
Verdict: Portland +100 moneyline
Over/under: 217.5
The Pelicans have been straight up awful on offense, and the Trail Blazers have been inconsistent at best — and downright dreadful on the road.
Even with a rejuvenated Damian Lillard, Portland has only averaged 112.5 points over their last two outings.
There’s a more than decent chance that the Trail Blazers either struggle to score in this one or blow out the Pelicans early; both scenarios will likely hit the under.
Verdict: Under 217.5