Portland Blazers at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

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The Portland Blazers travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 4 point favorites.

The Blazers come into this game with an overall record of 14-13. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.0 as they are averaging 103.3 points per game while giving up 101.3 per contest. The Hornets have an overall record of 10-17. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.7 points per game and surrendering 106.7, good for a point differential of -2.0.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 11-14-2 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 8-19-0 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 11-14-2 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 12-14-1 against the over/under

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

12/14/17 PG Damian Lillard Ankle is probable Friday vs Orlando
12/14/17 C Jusuf Nurkic Ankle is "?" Friday vs Orlando
12/14/17 F Meyers Leonard Illness is upgraded to probable Friday vs Orlando

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard comes into this contest averaging 26.3 points per game while playing 37.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Blazers. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 93%. C.J. McCollum averages 21.3 points per game in 36.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game for Portland. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard averages 16.4 points per game while playing 30 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 12.4 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage currently is at 51%. Kemba Walker averages 22.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 103.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.96 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 17.9 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.8 per game. The Blazers allow 101.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.2 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 18.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 16th in the league with 104.7 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 47.1 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 20.1. The Hornets are 28th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Hornets surrender 106.7 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest and 23rd with 44.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.6, and their defensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 25th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Portland is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 20th in the NBA. The Hornets are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 107.1, and their offensive rating of 105.1 is ranked 18th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte +4

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