The Washington Wizards (5-10) challenge the Portland Trail Blazers (10-5) at Capital One Arena. The game gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points with Washington opening as a 1-point favorite.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Washington Wizards ATS Prediction
The last time the Trail Blazers played, they were topped by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 112-96, and were not able to cover as 1.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (208) finished well under the O/U total of 225. Minnesota’s 11.0 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Portland, who had a rate of 15.7. The Timberwolves’ mark was better than their season average of 11.7, while the Trail Blazers’ was above their season average of 12.3. Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic had a good performance, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wizards fell to the Brooklyn Nets in their last outing, 115-104, despite being 6.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (219) came in under the O/U total of 224. Brooklyn’s 9.3 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Washington, who had a rate of 11.3. The Nets’ mark was better than their season average of 12.3. With 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Dwight Howard was the top scorer from either team.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Trail Blazers lost 125-124, unable to cover as 4.5-point favorites. Nurkic had 22 points and 18 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 249 points, which was 21 points above the projected point total of 228 points. Washington had a much better turnover percentage (7.6 vs. 13.5). Portland, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.8 vs. 18.5).
Portland heads into the contest with records of 10-5 straight up (SU) and 10-5 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Trail Blazers have a slight tendency to go under the total (53.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Washington is 5-10 SU and 4-10-1 ATS. Of the Wizards’ 15 games, 9 have finished over the total.
Nurkic and CJ McCollum have been playing well over the last five games for Portland. Nurkic has averaged 17.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, McCollum has recorded 23.2 points and 1.6 steals a game during that span.
Washington does a great job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank third in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.249), but Portland is among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking third by allowing a FTA rate of 0.167). Additionally, the Trail Blazers’ fourth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 111.0) will battle against the Wizards’ 29th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 111.0).
Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards Pick
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 3-3 ATS with 3 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Washington is 2-4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Portland is 4-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Washington is 2-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 10-4 and the Wizards are 5-9.
Portland ranks first in rebounds per game (51.5) while Washington ranks 28th (40.9).
The Wizards rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (20.2) while the Trail Blazers rank last (13.5).
Washington ranks third in blocks per game (6.1) while Portland ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (6.0).
The Trail Blazers rank eighth in assists allowed per game (22.7) while the Wizards rank 27th (26.1).
Washington ranks 10th in steals per game (8.5) while Portland ranks 27th (6.0).
The Trail Blazers average 14.4 second chance points per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Wizards rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (15.5).
Washington ranks seventh in fast break points per game (15.8) while Portland ranks 16th in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
The Wizards average 31.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 19th in three pointers allowed per game (31.7).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five outings, Portland is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Washington is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 6.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 112.8 points per game (1.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.2 points per game (7.5 below their season average).
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