The Portland Trail Blazers (2-2) are in the Bay Area for a New Year’s Day game against the Golden State Warriors (2-2) in Chase Center at 10:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Trail Blazers-Warriors NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Trail Blazers at Warriors: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Trail Blazers -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Warriors +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread/ATS: Trail Blazers -3.5 (-110) | Warriors +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 235.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Trail Blazers at Warriors: Key Injuries
Trail Blazers
- SG Gary Trent Jr. (calf) questionable
- PF Zach Collins (ankle) out
Warriors
- PF Draymond Green (foot) probable
- PF Eric Paschall (knee) questionable
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Trail Blazers at Warriors: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Money line (ML)
Portland split its Los Angeles-road games beating the Lakers 115-107 as a 6.5-point underdog on Dec. 28, followed by a 23-point drubbing by the Clippers as a 5.5-point ‘dog this past Wednesday.
As expected, the Trail Blazers have been top-heavy in the backcourt with their scoring: Damian Lillard averages 23 points per game on 30.1% usage and C.J. McCollum is putting up 28 PPG on 29.6% usage.
The Warriors recovered from two beatings to start the season at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets (125-99 on Dec. 22) and the Milwaukee Bucks (135-99 on Christmas Day) to win two straight coming into Friday’s game. Golden State’s victories came against the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, neither of which are projected to be playoff teams.
The Trail Blazers were 2-0 (1-1 ATS) in last year’s season series vs. the Warriors, including a 129-124 overtime win that featured a 61-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist performance by Lillard. However, missing from the game was two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry and 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green.
The most important point is that the Trail Blazers shouldn’t be laying points on the road against a team that’s historically owned them given how mediocre they’ve looked. Portland is below-average points per game and offensive efficiency and second-to-last in defensive efficiency.
Also, let me caveat this next point by saying, Klay Thompson is one of my favorite players in the NBA, but what would the Trail Blazers-Warriors line be if Klay was playing? My guess is Golden State would easily be a 5-point favorite and, despite how much Klay brings to the table, I don’t think he’s worth 8.5 points.
It’s the home-opener for the Warriors with two of the three Golden State champions active (Curry and Green). While the Warriors won’t have a raucous home crowd, I expect Golden State to bring the same intensity it would in normal years.
GIMME WARRIORS (+135) for a half-unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
If we are sprinkling on the home underdog’s money line, then let’s TAKE WARRIORS +3.5 (-110) for 1.5 units. Lillard has a flare for the dramatic and we can still win some money if he rips the Warriors hearts out on their home floor with a buzzer-beater.
Over/Under (O/U)
I’m more locked into the sides in Trail Blazers-Warriors so I’ll PASS ON THE TOTAL. I somewhat lean Over 235.5 (-110) but the market has already steamed the total up from a 230.5-point opener so we are getting the worst of the number.
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Also see:
- Injury Report: Draymond Green (foot) ruled probable for Friday vs. Trail Blazers (Warriors Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Trail Blazers | Warriors
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