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The Portland Trail Blazers (0-1) welcome the New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) to Moda Center Friday. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Pelicans won 3-0 last season
The Trail Blazers were annihilated 139-104 by the Golden State Warriors Wednesday, closing as 7.5-point underdogs. Portland, which went 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in the preseason, shot just 39% from the field and 24% from deep. It had 17 turnovers and ended with a -15 difference on the glass. The Blazers finished last in the Western Conference last season with a 21-61 record.
The Pelicans, who finished 8th in the West a season ago, went 1-2 straight up and 2-1 ATS in the preseason. They beat the Chicago Bulls 123-111 at home Wednesday, closing as 5-point favorites. The Pelicans were led by F Brandon Ingram, who shot 13 of 23 from the field and tallied 33 points. New Orleans ended with just 11 turnovers and held the Bulls to just 29% from beyond the arc.
Pelicans at Trail Blazers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 8:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
- Against the spread: Pelicans -5.5 (-115) | Trail Blazers +5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Pelicans at Trail Blazers key injuries
Pelicans
- G Trey Murphy III (hamstring) out
- G Dejounte Murray (hand) out
Trail Blazers
- G Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) out
- G Matisse Thybulle (knee) out
- C Robert Williams III (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Trail Blazers picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 116, Trail Blazers 112
Moneyline
PASS.
The Pelicans (-250) are the overall better team and should be able to come out on top. Portland is still young and should be trying to figure out its identity and who will be its go-to option offensively.
Against the spread
BET TRAIL BLAZERS +5.5 (-105).
Portland, with C Deandre Ayton eating up the middle, may limit second-chance opportunities and has the length to limit Ingram as well. Golden State destroyed the Blazers from deep, and New Orleans doesn’t have that same firepower.
The Pelicans beat the Bulls by 12 points but had just 1 quarter in which they outscored them by more than 4. Similarly, the Blazers were even at 21 with the Warriors at the end of the first. They can sustain playing well and match up far better with New Orleans than they did with Golden State. Expect a close one, and take TRAIL BLAZERS +5.5 (-105).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 218.5 (-110).
Neither team is overly aggressive from deep or on the offensive boards. The Trail Blazers shot 24% from deep during their game against the Warriors and had 17 turnovers, not ending possessions with shots far too often.
The Pelicans hoisted up 37 triples and knocked down just 14 of those — a 37.8% rate. They had just 7 offensive boards as well, so they didn’t crash for second-chance opportunities often.
Considering those style trends, take UNDER 218.5 (-110).
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