The Portland Trail Blazers (5-2) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (4-3) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game is scheduled to get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, 2018.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
The last time the Pelicans played, they were topped by the Golden State Warriors, 131-121, and failed to cover as 9.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (252) finished well over the projected point total of 230. Golden State’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over New Orleans. The Warriors had a rate of 0.618 (above their season average of 0.596), while the Pelicans posted a mark of 0.543. Nikola Mirotic had a solid outing for New Orleans, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
The Trail Blazers dismantled the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 104-85, despite being 4.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (189) finished well under the projected point total of 223.5. One of Portland’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 20-23 (87.0 percent), while the Rockets were just 13-23 (56.5 percent). With 22 points and 10 rebounds, Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic played well.
The offensive glass should be a huge edge for Portland in this battle. The Trail Blazers rank eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (23.4 percent), while New Orleans ranks 18th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.0 percent) since last season. Furthermore, the elite offense of the Pelicans ranks third in effective field goal percentage (0.541), while the Trail Blazers have been fifth-best in the league at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.505).
New Orleans heads into the contest with records of 4-3 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Pelicans’ six games that accepted bets, three have finished over, two have finished under and one has pushed.
Meanwhile, Portland is 5-2 SU and 5-2 ATS. Of the Trail Blazers’ 7 games, 5 have finished over the total.
The Pelicans won six out of eight meetings against the Trail Blazers last season. In the last game, New Orleans won 131-123. The Pelicans knocked down 32 of their 39 free throws (82.1 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.6 vs. 14.3).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
New Orleans is 13-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Portland is 28-8.
When reaching 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 49-23 and the Pelicans are 53-28.
New Orleans ranks third in fast break points per game (15.5) while Portland ranks 29th (8.7).
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (19.5).
Portland averages 45.8 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (45.5).
The Trail Blazers rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.9) while the Pelicans rank 27th (48.0).
Portland averages 13.6 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
The Trail Blazers rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (27.0) while the Pelicans rank 26th (30.9).
New Orleans averages 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks third in the league. Portland ranks 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
The Pelicans rank eighth in steals per game (8.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (6.9).
New Orleans ranks 15th in points off turnovers per game (16.4) while Portland ranks 29th (14.1).
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