The Portland Pilots (7-15, 0-7 WCC) welcome the Pepperdine Waves (10-11, 3-4 WCC) to Earle A. Chiles Center. The Pilots will try to snap their eight-game losing streak. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Pepperdine Waves at Portland Pilots ATS Odds
In their last game, the Pilots were beaten by the Pacific Tigers, 74-70, while the Waves were victorious over the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 84-77.
The Waves knocked down 23 of their 25 free throws (92.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.587 (above their season average of 0.518). Portland, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (15.5 vs. 16.3). Marcus Shaver Jr. had a good outing for Portland, finishing with 30 points and five rebounds. Colbey Ross played a key role for Pepperdine with 29 points and nine assists.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Waves won the most recent game 75-64. Pepperdine out-rebounded Portland. The Waves had 13 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the Pilots had three and 29, respectively. This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
The physical Portland offense looks poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Pilots rank 69th in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.272, while Pepperdine ranks 252nd in FTA rate allowed (0.248). The Waves should have an edge in terms of ball security. They rank 54th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.9 percent). Conversely, the Pilots force the 45th-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.8 percent).
Pepperdine vs. Portland Betting Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Pepperdine, ATS Winner – Pepperdine, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Pepperdine averages 14.7 assists per game, which ranks 76th in the nation. Portland ranks 230th in assists allowed per game (15.3).
- The Waves rank 225th in rebounds allowed per game (37.2) while the Pilots rank 256th (38.4).
- Pepperdine ranks 50th in steals allowed per game (5.6) while Portland ranks 70th (5.8).
- The Waves average 24.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 91st in the NCAA. The Pilots rank 194th in three pointers allowed per game (23.7).
- Portland averages 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 62nd in the nation. Pepperdine ranks 105th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Pilots have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.4 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
- The Waves have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Pepperdine has defeated opponents by an average of 3.2 points.
