Portland Trail Blazers (0-2) vs New Orleans Pelicans (2-0)
October 27, 2024 at 06:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Portland Trail Blazers +6.5 — Over/Under: 218.5
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Trail Blazers duke it out once again at the Moda Center on Sunday. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans will be feeling pretty good as they are now aiming for a third straight win to start their season after outlasting the pesky Trail Blazers in a 105-103 road win on Friday. Jordan Hawks led the team with 24 points on eight of 12 shooting off the bench, Brandon Ingram added 21 points with eight rebounds and four assists while CJ McCollum chipped in with 20 points and four steals. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 42 percent from the field and 12 of 31 from the 3-point line as they started ice-cold and scored just 15 points in the first quarter to fall behind by 16 points, but they stayed within striking distance and made their move in the fourth quarter where they outscored the Trail Blazers by 30-19 capped by the game-winning block from Herbert Jones at the buzzer.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after falling just short to the Pelicans on Friday night. Jerami Grant caught fire early and drained eight 3-pointers on his way to 34 points, Anfernee Simons added 24 points with seven assists, Scoot Henderson added 15 points off the bench while Deandre Ayton chipped in with 10 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot just 42 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line as they dominated the start and shot out to an early 16-point lead, but they allowed the Pelicans to hang around and it cost them in a heartbreaking finish. Deni Avdija had a forgettable night as he finished with just two points on one of nine shooting.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 22 games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pelicans have won each of their last 14 road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The favorites have covered the spread in four of the Pelicans’ last five games.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three day games against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last seven home games against the Pelicans have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the Pelicans’ last nine games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Deni Avdija rank T9th amongst qualified players for steals + blocks per game (3.5) this season.
- Anfernee Simons ranks T10th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (92.9%) this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Yves Missi ranks T5th amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.5) this season.
- Brandon Ingram ranks T7th amongst qualified players for second chance points per game (5.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for H2 opponent points per game this season (73.0).
- The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for points per game this season (103.5).
- The Pelicans rank T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (100.0%).
- The Pelicans rank T1st in the league for H2 win percentage this season (100.0%).
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The Pelicans are still shorthanded with Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy still out, while the Trail Blazers are still missing former Sixer Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams and Shaedon Sharpe. The Pelicans will be full of confidence following their thrilling comeback win on Friday, but it’s always hard to beat the same team in their own building, twice in a row. With that being said, I think the Pelicans can get another win here, but I think the Trail Blazers can keep this one close once again.