The Portland Trail Blazers (12-23) travel to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans (7-30) on Wednesday, January 8th. This game will be played at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and televised on KATU. Both the Trail Blazers and Pelicans will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 ET.

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans

The Trail Blazers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Portland’s season record fell to 12-23 after a 118-115 loss to the Pistons on Monday. The Blazers, who were +6.5 point underdogs, kept it close on the road. The game’s total score of 233 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 224.5 by 8.5 points.

Portland went on a 10-0 run early, taking the score from 11-9 to 19-11. They led 60-51 at halftime but couldn’t hold on, as Detroit outscored them 67-55 in the second half, including a 30-25 edge in the 4th quarter.

The Pelicans Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Pelicans dropped to 7-30 on the season after a 104-97 home loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday. New Orleans, who were +4 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 201 fell well short of the 221.5 O/U line.

New Orleans went on a 10-0 run to take the lead from 45-43 to 53-45, but Minnesota responded, outscoring the Pelicans 29-21 in the 3rd quarter. New Orleans couldn’t overcome an 83-75 deficit heading into the 4th, despite winning the final quarter 22-21.

Trail Blazers Offense Breakdown

Anfernee Simons knocked down 8 threes at a 66.7% clip, finishing with 36 points and 9 assists in the Trail Blazers’ 118-115 loss to the Pistons. He scored 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Portland hit 16 threes as a team, shooting 45.7% from deep and 53.3% overall.

Shaedon Sharpe contributed 20 points, with 9 coming in the 2nd quarter. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 11 rebounds, scoring 8 points in the opening period.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

The Pelicans struggled offensively in their 97-point effort against the Timberwolves, shooting just 37.2% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range. They made 12 threes in the game, with Jose Alvarado connecting on 3 of them at a 37.5% clip.

Dejounte Murray led the way with 29 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field. Zion Williamson also shot 60%, finishing with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Alvarado added 13 points, including 8 in the 4th quarter.

Trail Blazers Team Defense

The Trail Blazers gave up 118 points in their loss to the Pistons, with their worst defensive effort coming in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed 37 points. They also struggled in the 4th, giving up 30 points. Overall, Portland allowed Detroit to shoot 44% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Pistons hit 15 threes at a 34% clip. The Trail Blazers sent Detroit to the line 22 times, where they made 19 free throws. Portland finished with 31 defensive rebounds but allowed 17 offensive boards, while also recording 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Pelicans Team Defense

The Trail Blazers gave up 118 points in their loss to the Pistons, with their defense struggling in the 3rd quarter, allowing 37 points. They also allowed 30 points in the 4th quarter. Overall, Portland’s defense gave up 23 points in the 1st quarter and 28 in the 2nd.

Portland allowed Detroit to make 15 three-pointers on 34% shooting. The Pistons also went to the free-throw line 22 times, making 19. The Trail Blazers gave up 17 offensive rebounds while recording 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 105 points per game in these contests.
• Across the Pelicans last ten home games, the team averaged 106 points per game while allowing 119. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 4-6, while going 1-9 straight-up.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
• The last ten games that New Orleans was favored, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 5-5 straight up.

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Prediction

Not only do we have the Pelicans winning this one by a score of 146-136, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Pelicans at -2.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 226.5 and our model has the Trail Blazers and Pelicans finishing with a combined 282 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.