Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans: Expert Picks, Odds, and Predictions

The Portland Trail Blazers are set to clash with the New Orleans Pelicans this Friday at 8 p.m. ET. The game will take place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, presenting an opportunity for both teams to improve their records.

Current Standings and Season Overview

• Trail Blazers Record: 14 wins, 20 losses
• Pelicans Record: 8 wins, 27 losses

As of this week, the Trail Blazers and Pelicans are tied at one win each in their season series, making this matchup critical.

Recent Performance

The Trail Blazers faced a heavy defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing 124-95, and have struggled lately, with a 2-4 record in their last six games. They have not covered the spread in their losses and currently stand at 17-16-1 against the spread (ATS) this season.

On the other hand, the Pelicans experienced their fifth consecutive loss against the Chicago Bulls, with a final score of 134-118, also failing to cover as a 2-point road underdog. Despite this rough patch, they are 5-5 in their last ten games and have a season ATS record of 18-15-2.

Betting Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook

• Moneyline:
  • Trail Blazers: -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Pelicans: +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
• Against the Spread (ATS):
  • Trail Blazers: -1.5 (-115)
  • Pelicans: +1.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U):
  • Total: 245.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Key Injuries

Injury reports may influence the game’s outcome significantly. Below are the current injuries for both teams:

• Trail Blazers:
  • F Jerami Grant (Achilles) – Out
  • G Scoot Henderson (hamstring) – Out
  • G Jrue Holiday (calf) – Out
  • G Matisse Thybulle (knee) – Out
• Pelicans:
  • F Saddiq Bey (hip) – Questionable
  • F Herbert Jones (ankle) – Out
  • G Dejounte Murray (Achilles) – Out
  • C Derik Queen (quad) – Questionable

Expert Predictions

Predictions indicate a close contest, with expert opinions favoring the Pelicans with a projected score of 121-118. Despite their losing streak, the Pelicans have shown resilience at home, winning 4 of their last 7 games. Their offense, led by Zion Williamson, has been solid, consistently scoring over 114 points in recent outings.

On the contrary, the Trail Blazers have struggled offensively on the road, making them a less favorable betting option. Their scoring has dipped below 106 points in many recent games, leading to skepticism about their chances.

Best Bets

Analysts suggest betting on the Pelicans at +105 as a viable option. A consideration for bettors is the under at 245.5, given both teams’ inconsistencies in scoring. The trends suggest that neither side may exceed the necessary point totals for the Over to hit, making the Under a prudent choice.

Stay tuned to El-Balad for the latest updates on this matchup and more NBA coverage.