Philadelphia 76ers at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2017

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Thursday, December 28, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 2.5 point favorites.

The 76ers head into this matchup with a mark of 15-18. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.0 as they are averaging 107.8 points per contest while giving up 108.8 per game. The Blazers have an overall record of 17-16. They currently are 4th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 101.7 points per game and surrendering 100.3, good for a point differential of 1.4.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 17-16-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 17-16-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 15-16-2 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 9-24-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

12/24/17 PG Damian Lillard Leg is upgraded to probable Thursday vs Philadelphia
12/23/17 F Noah Vonleh Finger is "?" Thursday vs Philadelphia

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons comes into this contest averaging 16.8 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is currently at 53%. Joel Embiid averages 23.8 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.4 assists per contest and 11.1 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

C.J. McCollum averages 20.7 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%. Damian Lillard averages 25.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 93%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 107.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 48.4 rebounds per game and 26 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 18.3 per game. The 76ers allow 108.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 23rd in the league with 101.7 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 1.36. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 18.2. The Blazers are 15th in turnovers per game with 14.6. The Blazers surrender 100.3 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 18.4 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 42.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 15th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 19th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Blazers are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.1, and their defensive rating of 103.7 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Blazers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Portland -2.5

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