Trail Blazers vs. Hawks Pick
Are the Portland Trail Blazers going to take advantage of the host Atlanta Hawks being on a back-to-back tonight when they play at 7:30PM ET?
Who Oddsmakers Like: According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Trail Blazers are set at a 3.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 207 points. Portland opened as a 2.5-point favorite before the spread increased by a point, while the total has stayed at 207.
Who the Public Likes: As of Saturday afternoon, 77 percent of public bettors are on the Trail Blazers.
Injury Report: Damian Lillard has been out the last three games with a hamstring strain and his status tonight is questionable. Noah Vonleh has two missed two straight games with a dislocated finger and his status is uncertain for tonight. For Atlanta, forward Mike Muscala has been on a rehab assignment with an injury ankle and he is questionable tonight. Center Dewayne Dedmon has been out with a stress reaction in his left tibia and he will remain out until early January.
Who the Trends Like: Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last five meetings in Atlanta. The under is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings overall and 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Atlanta.
Who We Like: The status of Lillard would normally be integral here, but I like Portland to get the job done even without him. First off, the Trail Blazers have had good recent success in Atlanta. Furthermore, Shabazz Napier is a capable starter and now with three games as part of the starting unit he is gaining chemistry with that bunch as evidenced by two wins in a row. The Blazers scored 114 points versus Philadelphia, so it shows Napier is getting the job done. Also, the Hawks are on a back-to-back and will have the more tired legs in the second half. And if Lillard returns, that’s even better.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -3.5