The Portland Trail Blazers (17-16) will attempt to snap their six-game home losing streak in a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers (15-18) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 208 points with Portland opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers at Portland Trail Blazers ATS Prediction
The last time the 76ers played, they beat the New York Knicks, 105-98. Philadelphia made good use of their 30 trips to the free throw line, making 25 of them (83.3 percent). New York, meanwhile, was just 18-28 (64.3 percent). Philadelphia received a boost from Joel Embiid, who was the team’s leading scorer with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
The Trail Blazers won a close one over the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game, 95-92. Portland forced the Lakers into a turnover percentage of 15.3 (above the 12.1 mark opponents have averaged against Portland this season). Los Angeles, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.141 vs. 0.074). With 21 points and five assists, Shabazz Napier had a solid outing for Portland.
Portland might struggle to put up points as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Philadelphia ranks seventh in defensive efficiency while the Trail Blazers rank 25th in offensive efficiency. Additionally, the 76ers are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage (26.4 percent). The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, rank fourth at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 79.6 percent.
Philadelphia heads into the contest with records of 15-18 straight up (SU) and 17-16 against the spread (ATS). Of the 76ers’ 33 games, 17 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Portland is 17-16 SU and 15-15-3 ATS. Trail Blazers games have typically finished under the projected point total (72.7 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Embiid had 28 points and 12 rebounds and the 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 101-81, covering as 4-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 182 points, which was 29 points below the projected point total of 211 points. Philadelphia’s 0.494 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Portland, who had a rate of 0.376.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Portland Trail Blazers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Philadelphia is 9-8 ATS with 10 overs and 7 unders.
At home, Portland is 4-11-2 ATS with 13 unders and 4 overs.
Philadelphia is 5-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Portland is 13-4.
The Trail Blazers are 12-7 when they score over 100 points, while the 76ers are 14-11.
Philadelphia ranks third in assists per game (26.0) while Portland ranks last (18.2).
The Trail Blazers rank seventh in blocks per game (5.3) while the 76ers rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
Philadelphia ranks sixth in points in the paint per game (47.3) while Portland ranks 26th (40.8).
The Trail Blazers rank first in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while the 76ers rank 20th (29.7).
Philadelphia ranks eighth in steals per game (8.4) while Portland ranks 26th (6.6).
The Trail Blazers rank 12th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.6) while the 76ers rank last (19.4).
Philadelphia ranks second in second chance points per game (14.7) while Portland ranks 13th (12.5).
The 76ers rank 20th in fast break points per game (9.4) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (5.6).
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (48.4) while Portland ranks ninth (44.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Portland is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 1.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 94.2 points per game (7.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 97.2 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
