Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Odds
| Pelicans Odds | +2 |
| Trail Blazers Odds | -2 |
| Over/Under | 233 |
| Date | Wed, Mar. 1 |
| Time | 10:00 p.m. |
| TV | ESPN |
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics will meet at the TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. Entering play, Cleveland (39-25) owns the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, six games behind Boston (44-18), which is 0.5 game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the 1-seed in the standings. Tonight, oddsmakers are anticipating a Celtics victory, pricing Boston as 5-point home favorites on the spread.
New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson OUT
Zion Williamson is reportedly making good progress in his rehab, attempting to return from a right hamstring strain. However, he will remain on the sidelines this evening, which is a notable loss for the Pelicans.
Per Cleaning the Glass, New Orleans ranks in the 82nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 87th percentile in defensive efficiency when Williamson is on the court this season, compared to the 33rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 45th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
In 29 games with Williamson in the lineup this year, New Orleans is 17-12. The team is 13-20 in his absence.
Who will step up for New Orleans?
Since January 3, Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum have been the two clear-cut leaders for New Orleans in Williamson’s absence. In that span, Ingram is averaging 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per 36 minutes of action. McCollum is averaging 24.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per 36 minutes.
Following his return to action on January 25, Ingram has been one of the highest volume players in the entire NBA, attempting 20.9 field goal attempts per contest. Only Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are averaging more shots per game during that time period.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Defensively challenged
Jusuf Nurkic has been ruled out once again this evening for the Trail Blazers. Since he last played on February 1, Portland is 4-6 overall, with their primary vulnerability being a defense that ranks 29th in efficiency, only ahead of the hapless Houston Rockets.
During that stretch, Portland has been extremely vulnerable around the rim, ranking 29th in opponent field goal attempts in the restricted area and 25th in opponent field goal percentage inside the paint.
Lillard playing at an elite level
Since January 8, Damian Lillard is averaging 38.7 points per game on an efficient 51.4% from the field, including an efficient 40.1% from beyond-the-arc. In that span, no other NBA player is averaging more than 32.3 points per game – a true indication of how rare and impressive Lillard’s recent run has been.
Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers – Picks & Predictions
Since Zion Williamson last played on January 2, the New Orleans Pelicans are 25th in the NBA in Net Rating on the road, with a 3-11 overall record. In those 14 games, they have been outscored by 7.5 points per 100 possessions.
In that same stretch of action, Portland is 8-8 in their 16 home games, with notable wins against the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Both of these teams have been unreliable of late, so do not bet the house here – but Portland is rightfully favored on their home floor. Trust them to get the job done on Wednesday.
PICK: Trail Blazers ML (-130, Caesars)
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