Portland Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 4/19/2018

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Blazers travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Game 3 of their 1st round series. The Pelicans lead the series 2-0. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 3 point favorites.

The Blazers had a regular season record of 49-33. They were 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently had a point differential of 2.6 as they averaged 105.6 points per game while giving up 103.0 per contest. The Pelicans had an overall record of 48-34 during the regular season. They finished the campaign 2nd in the Southwest Division. They averaged 111.7 points per game and surrendered 110.4, good for a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 45-32-7 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 36-48-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 47-36-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 48-36-0 against the over/under

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

04/18/18 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg left last game, is probable Thursday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out for season
04/18/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is probable Thursday vs Portland
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

C.J. McCollum comes into this contest averaging 21.4 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Blazers. He pulls down 4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Damian Lillard averages 26.9 points per game in 36.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.6 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game for Portland. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 19 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.1 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 105.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 19.5 assists per game, which ranks them 3rd and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.5 per game. The Blazers allow 103 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 20.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the league with 111.7 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.8. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Pelicans surrender 110.4 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 45.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.1, and their defensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league. Portland is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league. The Pelicans are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.6, and their defensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans -3

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