New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (3/1/23)
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The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Portland Trail Blazers in a big Western Conference clash. The Pelicans are coming off a home loss to the Magic, while the Trail Blazers are coming off a blowout win against the Rockets at home. This should be an interesting matchup for the Western Conference standing. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
The Portland Trail Blazers are 2-point home favorites against the New Orleans Pelicans and is at -130 on the money line. There’s no over/under listed just yet, but expect it to be high because of how great each team is on offense. Portland being favored here makes sense because they’re playing better than the Pelicans are right now. This spread could move before tip-off a little bit because it’s so small.
New Orleans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The pick: Portland Trail Blazers -2
The Portland Trail Blazers are riding high right now after Damian Lillard scored 71 points in a game. They need to get healthier, but they could be a dangerous team.
Damian Lillard is playing like one of the best players in the NBA this year. He leads the Blazers in scoring and in assists per game for the season. He’s also coming off a 71-point game. Jerami Grant is a player to watch that will step up a lot with Simmons and Nurkic out. He should be second in scoring in this game behind Lillard. Cam Reddish was a decent piece that Portland got at the trade deadline and Shaedon Sharpe is also a very athletic guard that will see time too.
As a team, the Blazers excel more on offense than on defense. They’re top-12 in points scored and also top-10 in field goal percentage.
On the other side, the Pelicans are really struggling right now. They’ve lost four in a row and need to change something quick before they fall out of the playoffs.
Brandon Ingram has been great for the Pelicans and has had to step up more with Zion out. He leads the team in scoring right now. CJ McCollum has been very good too at the shooting guard spot. He’s second on the team in scoring and also leads the team in assists per game for the season. Jonas Valanciunas has been very good and leads the team in rebounds per game for the season too. Trey Murphy III has also provided help where needed off the wing.
As a team, the Pelicans are solid on both offense and defense this season. They’re top-12 in field goal percentage and top-12 in rebounds per game.
The Trail Blazers are playing much better than the Pelicans are right now and are at home. This game is going to be close, but Portland should win it late, thanks to Damian Lillard, who’s going to be the best player on the court in this game.
Betting Trends
Pelicans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Trail Blazers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Key Matchups
Can CJ McCollum matchup with Damian Lillard? Can Cam Reddish matchup with Brandon Ingram?
Damian Lillard vs. CJ McCollum
Damian Lillard has been incredible this season. He averages 32 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched against CJ McCollum most of the game, who averages 21 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds per game for the season. This is a big matchup because of how good each player is on offense. McCollum really needs to play defense against Lillard after he scored 71 points last game.
Brandon Ingram vs. Cam Reddish
Brandon Ingram has been very good this year for the Pelicans. He averages 23 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Cam Reddish most of the game, who averages 9 points, 1 assist, and 2 rebounds per game for the season. This a big matchup because of how much offense Ingram can generate for the Pelicans. If Reddish can defend him well, then the Blazers have a good chance here.
New Orleans Pelicans Starting Lineup
PG: CJ McCollum
SG: Josh Richardson
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Herbert Jones
C: Jonas Valanciunas
Portland Trail Blazers Starting Lineups
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Cam Reddish
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Drew Eubanks
Key Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans Injuries: PF Zion Williamson (Hamstring) O, PF Larry Nance (Leg) Q
Portland Trail Blazers Injuries: C Jusuf Nurkic (Calf) O, SG Anfernee Simmons (Ankle) O
