Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans 4/21/18, Prediction & Odds

Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Prediction

The Portland Trail Blazers have lost three straight games to the New Orleans Pelicans in their first round series. Are the Trail Blazers going to avoid the sweep on the road today when they play Game 4 in New Orleans?

Game Snapshot

719 Portland Trail Blazers at 720 New Orleans Pelicans

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Smoothie King Center at 5PM ET

TV: TNT

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Pelicans are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 216 points. As of Saturday morning, 65 percent of public bets are being placed on host New Orleans. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.

Future of Trail Blazers in jeopardy? 

Portland was favored to win this series, but now find itself in a 3-0 deficit. There have been rumors if the Trail Blazers don't have postseason success this year, the front office could choose to break up their backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum via trade. While that seems perhaps unnecessary, either would net a strong net return with McCollum the much greater possibility to be dealt. Portland has some limitations with what it can bring in around the duo due to the salaries it is paying the current roster. But if the Trail Blazers go smaller in their solutions this summer, we could be seeing the peak of what this roster led by Lillard and McCollum is capable of doing.

Pelicans come in highly motivated

Through words said to the media, it is clear New Orleans is taking this game very seriously. Part of their motivation? Not being forced to make a return trip to Portland. The Pelicans are being led in part by veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, who is not only being an asset verbally but also with his play on the court. Rondo is averaging 12.7 points, 12.3 assists, 7.7 boards and one assist through three playoff games. A focused Rondo is a scary Rondo.

Portland

The Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games. Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last five games at New Orleans.

New Orleans

The Pelicans 6-0 ATS in their last six games versus a team with a winning straight up record. New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last five games after allowing 100 or more points in its previous game.

Prediction: New Orleans is locked in right now, while the Blazers are searching for answers. With the Pelicans holding the home advantage and the best player on the court in Anthony Davis while getting plenty of help from everyone else, New Orleans is a difficult fade right now. The question is whether you want to lay seven points on the hosts. I'm going to say yes, partially due to the fact that Portland's body language seems to have indicated surrender. If so, this game could get ugly.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -7