The Portland Trail Blazers meet the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter to open the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The game can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Portland opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 217 points.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
Both teams have won two games in the season series. The Trail Blazers won the most recent matchup 107-103, covering as 2-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 210 points, which was 10.5 points below the projected point total of 220.5 points. Portland had a much better turnover percentage (8.4 vs. 13.8). New Orleans, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the free throw line (13-14; 92.9 percent). Lillard was the game’s top overall scorer with 41 points.
New Orleans could have a difficult time creating turnovers. Portland ranks eighth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.1 percent), while New Orleans forces the ninth-fewest turnovers (13.3 percent). Moreover, the sweet-shooting offense of the Pelicans ranks fourth in effective field goal percentage (0.541), while the Trail Blazers are fourth-best in the league at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.503).
New Orleans holds records of 48-34 straight up (SU) and 45-36-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Pelicans’ 82 games, 48 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Portland is 49-33 SU and 45-30-7 ATS. Unlike New Orleans, games including the Trail Blazers tend to go under the total (56.1 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Nikola Mirotic (22.4 points and 9.8 rebounds) has been stellar for the Pelicans while Jusuf Nurkic (14.2 points and 12.6 rebounds) has made solid contributions to the Trail Blazers.
New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, New Orleans is 26-15 ATS with 21 unders and 20 overs.
At home, Portland is 23-14-4 ATS with 22 unders and 19 overs.
When allowing below 100 points, Portland is 26-7 and New Orleans is 12-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Pelicans are 45-22 and the Trail Blazers are 44-18.
New Orleans ranks third in fast break points per game (15.3) while Portland ranks last (8.2).
The Pelicans rank third in assists per game (26.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (19.5).
New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (52.4) while Portland ranks 23rd (43.0).
The Trail Blazers average 45.5 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. The Pelicans rank 24th in rebounds allowed per game (45.5).
Portland ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.6) while New Orleans ranks 25th (30.6).
The Trail Blazers rank seventh in second chance points per game (13.5) while the Pelicans rank 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
New Orleans averages 5.9 blocks per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Portland ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
The Trail Blazers rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Pelicans rank 20th (17.2).
New Orleans averages 8.0 steals per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Portland ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (7.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New Orleans is 5-0 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Portland is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Pelicans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.0, up from 1.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 98.4 points per game (7.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.6 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
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