Golden State Warriors at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2018

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Golden State Warriors travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Saturday, December 29, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Golden State as 4.5 point favorites.

The Warriors have a record of 23-13. They are 1st in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 3.9 as they average 115.4 points per game while giving up 111.5 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 20-15. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They total 110.9 points per contest and give up 110.8, which is a point differential of 0.1.

Valuable Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 14-21-0 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 18-17-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 16-18-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 17-17-0 against the over/under

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/02/18 C Damian Jones Shoulder is out indefinitely
10/11/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out indefinitely

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Klay Thompson comes into this contest averaging 20.9 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. Kevin Durant averages 28.7 points per game in 35.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.3 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averages 21.0 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Damian Lillard averages 26.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averages 115.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.9 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 27.9 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 14.3 per game. The Warriors allow 111.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 17th in the league with 110.9 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.1. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.0. The Blazers are 17th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Blazers surrender 110.8 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers were 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.2 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Golden State is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 19th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Blazers are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 110.9, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 18th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Golden State -4.5

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