Pelicans vs. Blazers Prediction
Can the New Orleans Pelicans continue their push toward a playoff spot tonight when they go on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers at 10:30PM ET?
527 New Orleans Pelicans vs. 528 Portland Trail Blazers
Friday, February 21, 2020
10:30PM ET – Moda Center
TV – ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, New Orleans is favored on the road, as the Pelicans are getting odds of -5 points against the Blazers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 238.5 points. The public betting currently has 73 percent going on the Pelicans as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Pelicans look to bounce back
New Orleans is coming off a 123-118 loss at home to Oklahoma City to end a 3-game win streak before the break. The Pelicans are 23-32 on the season, 12-15 on the road, 28-25-2 against the spread and 32-23 with the over.
The Pelicans are putting up 115.8 points per game this season on offense while shooting 46 percent from the field. Defensively, New Orleans is giving up 117.3 points per game while opponents shoot 46.6 percent against them. Brandon Ingram is leading the team with 24.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Zion Williamson is adding 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest.
Blazers return home
Portland played three of its last four before the break on the road, dropping all three road games. That includes a 138-117 loss at New Orleans. The Blazers are 25-31 on the season, 15-11 at home, 23-31-2 against the spread and 31-25 with the over.
The Blazers are putting up 113.4 points per game on offense while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor. Defensively, Portland is giving up 115.3 points per game while opponents shoot 45 percent against them. The Blazers took a big blow last week when Damian Lillard suffered a groin injury that has him out for a couple of weeks. Lillard averages 29.5 points and 7.9 assists per game this season. CJ McCollum will have to step up in his absence. McCollum averages 21.3 points per game.
NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans
The Pelicans are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following a failed cover.
Portland
The Blazers have covered the spread in five straight home games, but just 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games as an underdog.
Prediction:
The Pelicans have won and covered in all three meetings with the Blazers already this season and I would expect a fourth tonight. Portland is without Lillard, who is the heart and soul of the team. He can single-handedly will the team to a victory. I don’t think McCollum has enough to get the job done on his own, especially against a strong offensive team like the Pelicans. New Orleans has found its stride on offense with Williamson in the mix and I expect them to run past Portland tonight.
NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -5