New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction 12/23/19

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The New Orleans Pelicans (7-23), 6.5-point underdogs, will travel to Moda Center at the Rose Quarter to take on the Portland Trail Blazers (14-16). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 228.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, December 23, 2019.

New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers ATS Odds

In their last matchup, the Trail Blazers (7-point favorites) beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-106, while the Pelicans (1.5-point favorites) were beaten by the Golden State Warriors, 106-102. The Portland game went 9 points under the projected point total of 228, while the New Orleans game finished 13 points under the projected point total of 221.

Portland dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (above their season average of 22.0) and a turnover percentage of 11.8 (better than their season average of 11.8). Minnesota was 17.5 and 14.5, respectively, for those same stats. New Orleans, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (26.0 vs. 22.2). Hassan Whiteside had a good outing for Portland, recording 16 points, 22 rebounds and seven blocks. New Orleans was led by Jrue Holiday, who recorded 25 points and eight rebounds.

In their first matchup this season, Holiday led the Pelicans to a 115-104 win. He recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists. The two teams combined to put up 219 points, which was under the projected point total of 231.5, and New Orleans covered as a 3-point favorite. Making free throws was one of New Orleans’ largest strengths. They were 20-24 (83.3 percent), while the Trail Blazers were just 8-13 (61.5 percent).

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Pelicans games, with 16 unders compared to 14 overs. New Orleans holds records of 7-23 straight up (SU) and 9-19-2 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Trail Blazers games, with an even split between overs and unders. Additionally, Portland is 14-16 SU and 13-15-2 ATS.

From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Portland figures to have a considerable advantage. The Trail Blazers defense ranks eighth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.503), while the New Orleans offense is ranked 18th in effective field goal percentage (0.522).

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Pelicans rank 19th in steals per game (7.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (6.1).
  • Portland ranks sixth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.3) while New Orleans ranks 26th (19.0).
  • The Trail Blazers rank second in blocks per game (6.8) while the Pelicans rank 16th (4.9).
  • Portland ranks 13th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.3) while New Orleans ranks 27th (51.3).
  • New Orleans ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (38.5) while Portland ranks 17th in three pointers allowed per game (34.1).
  • The Pelicans rank 12th in assists per game (24.7) while the Trail Blazers rank last (20.0).
  • The Trail Blazers rank 13th in fast break points allowed per game (13.0) while the Pelicans rank 26th (14.9).
  • New Orleans averages 12.4 second chance points per game, which ranks 21st in the NBA. Portland ranks last in second chance points allowed per game (15.9).
  • Portland ranks sixth in rebounds per game (46.7) while New Orleans ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.5).
  • When allowing less than 100 points, New Orleans is 1-0 and Portland is 3-0.
  • The Trail Blazers are 14-12 when they reach 100 points, while the Pelicans are 7-20.
  • Portland is 6-7-1 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 4-9-2 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 8 of the Trail Blazers’ 14 home games, while 8 of the Pelicans’ 15 road games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, New Orleans and Portland have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Trail Blazers are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 1-3-1.
  • During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 112.6 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.0 points per game (4.4 below their season average).
  • The Pelicans’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.2, down from 6.6 for the season.