The Portland Pilots (7-15, 0-7 WCC) will try to put an end to their eight-game losing streak when they take on the Pepperdine Waves (10-11, 3-4 WCC) at Earle A. Chiles Center. The game gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Pepperdine Waves vs. Portland Pilots ATS Prediction
In the Waves’ last contest, they topped the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 84-77. Pepperdine was successful at getting and making free throws. The Waves made 23 of their 25 free throws (92.0 percent), while the Gaels were just 10-17 (58.8 percent). With 29 points on 6-for-12 shooting, Colbey Ross was the game’s leading scorer.
The Pilots fell to the Pacific Tigers in their last matchup, 74-70. Pacific won the rebounding battle. The Tigers had more offensive rebounds (11 vs. five), defensive rebounds (31 vs. 21) and total rebounds (42 vs. 26). Marcus Shaver Jr. put together a good game for Portland, leading both teams in scoring with 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Waves won the most recent matchup 75-64. Pepperdine had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 9.4). Portland, meanwhile, did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (14-17; 82.4 percent).
The aggressive Portland offense could be living from the free throw line in this matchup. The Pilots rank 69th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.272, while Pepperdine ranks 252nd in FTA rate allowed (0.248). Also, the Waves rank 54th in turnover percentage (16.9 percent), while the Pilots rank 308th in opponents’ turnover percentage (16.8 percent).
Pepperdine vs. Portland Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Portland, ATS Winner – Portland, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Pepperdine averages 14.7 assists per game, which ranks 76th in the nation. Portland ranks 230th in assists allowed per game (15.3).
The Waves rank 91st in three pointers attempted per game (24.4) while the Pilots rank 194th in three pointers allowed per game (23.7).
Portland averages 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 62nd in the country. Pepperdine ranks 105th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
The Waves rank 225th in rebounds allowed per game (37.2) while the Pilots rank 256th (38.4).
Pepperdine ranks 50th in steals allowed per game (5.6) while Portland ranks 70th (5.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Waves have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Pepperdine has defeated opponents by an average of 3.2 points.
During their last five games, the Pilots have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.4 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
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