New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans (4-3) will travel to Moda Center at the Rose Quarter to square off against the Portland Trail Blazers (5-2). Action gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds

The Trail Blazers come in on a high note after thoroughly outplaying the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 104-85, as 4.5-point underdogs. The Pelicans, on the other hand, were defeated by the Golden State Warriors, 131-121, and failed to cover as 9.5-point underdogs. The Portland game went 34.5 points under the projected point total of 223.5, while the New Orleans game went 22 points over the projected point total of 230.

The Trail Blazers made 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent) and held the Rockets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.375 (below their season average of 0.510). New Orleans, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.6 vs. 14.3). Jusuf Nurkic had a solid performance for Portland, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Nikola Mirotic fueled New Orleans with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Portland should have an advantage on the offensive glass in this meeting. Dating back to last season, the Trail Blazers rank eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (23.4 percent), while New Orleans ranks 18th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.0 percent). Additionally, the Pelicans’ third-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.541) will clash against the Trail Blazers’ fifth-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.505).

Of the Pelicans’ six games with betting action, three have finished over, two have finished under and one has pushed. New Orleans holds records of 4-3 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS).

Of the Trail Blazers’ 7 games, 5 have finished over the total. Additionally, Portland owns records of 5-2 SU and 5-2 ATS.

The Pelicans edged out the Trail Blazers in this series last year, winning six out of eight games. In the last matchup, New Orleans won 131-123. New Orleans made good use of their 39 trips to the free throw line, converting on 32 of them (82.1 percent). Portland, on the other hand, was 13-16 (81.3 percent).

New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers Odds Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under

Betting Notes (2017-Present):

  • The Pelicans rank eighth in steals per game (8.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (6.9).
  • New Orleans ranks third in fast break points per game (15.5) while Portland ranks 29th (8.7).
  • The Trail Blazers rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.9) while the Pelicans rank 27th (48.0).
  • Portland ranks sixth in second chance points per game (13.6) while New Orleans ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
  • New Orleans ranks third in blocks per game (5.8) while Portland ranks 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
  • The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (19.5).
  • The Trail Blazers rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (27.0) while the Pelicans rank 26th (30.9).
  • New Orleans ranks 15th in points off turnovers per game (16.4) while Portland ranks 29th (14.1).
  • Portland averages 45.8 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. New Orleans ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (45.5).
  • Portland is 28-8 when they allow less than 100 points, while New Orleans is 13-2.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Pelicans are 53-28 and the Trail Blazers are 49-23.
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