The Portland Trail Blazers (25-29) are in the Big Easy to play the New Orleans Pelicans (22-31) at Smoothie King Center at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Trail Blazers-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Trail Blazers at Pelicans: Key injuries
Trail Blazers
- SG Anfernee Simons (concussion) probable
- SF Nassir Little (ankle) out
- SF Mario Hezonja (ankle) out
- C Jusuf Nurkic (leg) out
- SG Rodney Hood (Achilles) out
- PF Zach Collins (shoulder) out
Pelicans
- PF Zion Williamson (ankle) probable
- SF Brandon Ingram (ankle) questionable
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Trail Blazers at Pelicans: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 121, Blazers 114
Moneyline (ML)
I cannot back the Pelicans (-154) because of the steep price and the unknown status of their only All-Star, Ingram, who suffered a sprained ankle against the Chicago Bulls last Thursday. Williamson also suffered an ankle sprain but indicated in a post-practice interview he would be available Tuesday. Ingram is the Pelicans’ leading scorer, though, and against a Blazers team leading the NBA in points per game over the past 10 games, the Pelicans draw a PASS at this price point.
Over those 10 games, Portland has a 7-3 overall record with wins over quality opponents like the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. Those were keyed by All-Star PG Damian Lillard scoring 40 or more points in six of those games. In the Blazers’ first meeting with the Pelicans this season, Lillard made just 6 of 21 field goals, missing all 10 3-pointers and scoring just 18 points in a 102-94 loss Dec. 23.
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
PELICANS (-2.5, -115) is the play here because of how reliant the Blazers offense is on MVP-contender, Lillard, and New Orleans’ success guarding him the last game. In general, the Blazers hardly move the ball—Portland is last in passes made, assists per game and assist-points created—so that’ll make it easier for the 22nd defensive rated Pelicans.
Moreover, this is a better gambling spot for the Pelicans. New Orleans is a better against the spread team (27-24-2 ATS record) than the Blazers (23-29-2 ATS record). The Blazers are 2-6 ATS in the last eight meetings in New Orleans. The Pelicans are 10-5-2 ATS when playing with a rest advantage and Portland is 8-10 ATS as a road dog with a minus-7.2 margin of victory.
Over/Under (O/U)
Holy smokes, the 240.5 total is too high. I get it, the combined Over/Under record of the Blazers and Pelicans is 60-47 and both teams are ranked high in scoring and low in team defense. There are just too many ways this game goes UNDER 240.5 (-115), including Holiday and Lonzo Ball doing a good job defensively against Lillard and the possible absence of Ingram. Also, the last three Blazers-Pelicans games went Under the total.
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