Portland Pilots vs. Ball State Cardinals ATS Prediction 12/25/19

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The Portland Pilots (8-6) go head-to-head against the Ball State Cardinals (6-6) in the Diamond Head Classic at Stan Sheriff Center. The Pilots opened as an 8.5-point underdog. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 133.5 points and it will air on ESPNU at 1:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.

Portland Pilots vs. Ball State Cardinals Betting Odds

Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Cardinals lost a winnable game to the UTEP Miners, 71-70, while the Pilots lost to the Boise State Broncos, 85-69.

Portland had a better effective field goal percentage (0.518 vs. 0.570) while Ball State did a terrific job of converting from the free throw line (18-21; 85.7 percent). Tahjai Teague played well for Ball State, contributing 14 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Chase Adams played a pivotal role for Portland with 19 points.

Of the Pilots’ 12 games with betting action, seven have gone over the total. Portland heads into the contest with records of 8-6 straight up (SU) and 6-6 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Portland, Cardinals games have a tendency to go under the total (60.0 percent). Additionally, Ball State is 6-6 SU and 5-5 ATS.

Ball State could have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this matchup. The Cardinals currently rank 264th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.195, while Portland ranks 50th in FTA rate allowed (0.161).

Portland vs. Ball State Betting Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • Ball State ranks 31st in three pointers attempted per game (27.3) while Portland ranks 182nd (20.2).
  • The Cardinals rank 35th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while the Pilots rank 95th (6.5).
  • Portland ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while Ball State ranks 34th (2.5).
  • The Cardinals average 15.0 assists per game, which ranks 54th in the country. The Pilots rank 158th in assists allowed per game (13.8).
  • Ball State averages 36.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 125th in the country. Portland ranks 196th in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Pilots have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (4.9 above their season average).
  • The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.4, down from 10.6 for the season.