The New Orleans Pelicans will host a showdown against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Smoothie King Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Dec. 23 and can be seen on FSN and POR.
The Pelicans enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Nuggets 130-125 on Sunday. Anthony Davis was the team’s leading scorer with 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 106-97 loss against the Hawks on Monday. Portland still lost despite the best efforts of Mason Plumlee, who recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pelicans could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of only 13.6%). Additionally, Portland forces the second-fewest turnovers in the league (11.8%).
The Trail Blazers have emerged victorious in both games against the Pelicans this year, including a 105-101 win the last time these two teams met. Davis had a double-double in the loss with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
This one isn’t expected to be close when the Pelicans, a substantial eight-point favorite, take on the Trail Blazers. The Pelicans come into this game 8-19 Straight Up (SU) and 10-17 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 6-12 SU and 7-11 ATS against the Western Conference.
In the other locker room, the Trail Blazers have a record of 15-15 ATS and 11-19 SU. Against the Western Conference, Portland is 10-10 SU and 12-8 ATS. The Trail Blazers rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking third in the league with 293 made (9.0 per game).
Portland beat New Orleans in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 8-2. With a 6-4 record, the Trail Blazers also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Por, ATS Winner – Por
Notes
New Orleans is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 5 games.
New Orleans is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games.
New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
New Orleans is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 5 games when playing Portland.
New Orleans is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland.
On average, Portland puts up 101.4 points per game (ranked 16th). New Orleans ranks 30th in points allowed per game with 108.2.
Portland scores an average of 98.6 points per away game (ranked 20th). New Orleans ranks 30th in points allowed per home game with 111.0.
Portland has a 7-3 record when opponents score fewer than 100 points. New Orleans has yet to win a game in which it puts up under 100 (0-13).
Portland is an abysmal 4-16 when it gives up 100 or more points. New Orleans has an 8-6 record when it hits triple digits.
The Pelicans have a defensive rating of 109.4 (ranked 30th), while the Trail Blazers rank ninth for their offensive rating of 103.6.
The New Orleans Pelicans average a field goal percentage of 44.5% this season. The Portland Trail Blazers have a subpar record of 2-12 when opponents have a FG% of 44.5% or greater.
On average, New Orleans attempts 24.0 three pointers and Portland attempts 27.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Pelicans have a poor 4-9 record while the Trail Blazers are even at 10-10.
The New Orleans Pelicans, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.56, rank 13th in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers have a lower A/TO (1.36), ranking 23rd.
New Orleans ranks 26th in rebounds per game with 41.4, while Portland ranks sixth with 45.5 per game.
The Portland Trail Blazers rank fourth in offensive rebounding, while the New Orleans Pelicans rank 21st in defensive rebounding.
New Orleans has forced an average turnover percentage of 12.7% this season. Portland has a losing 7-15 record when its TOV% is 12.7% or higher.
