Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Blazers - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -9

Total/Over-Under: 222

Moda Center is the site where Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers (11-16, 4th in the Northwest Division) will play the Golden State Warriors (5-23, 5th in the Pacific Division) on Wednesday. Golden State opens this matchup as 9 point underdogs. The over/under opens at 222.

The Warriors cover 42.9% of the time, having gone 12-16-0 ATS. Portland is covering 42.3% of the time, going 11-15-1 against the spread.

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/15/2019 Eric Paschall PF Hip Game Time Decision
12/6/2019 Stephen Curry PG Hand Expected to be out until at least Feb 29
10/22/2019 Klay Thompson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jun 1

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/16/2019 Mario Hezonja SF Back Game Time Decision
12/16/2019 Nassir Little SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 18
12/9/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 15
12/7/2019 Rodney Hood SG Achilles Out for the season
11/12/2019 Zach Collins PF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Mar 15

Player Spotlight

Eric Paschall comes into this game averaging 16.1 points per contest while playing 30.9 minutes per night this year. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Alec Burks averages 15.4 points per contest in 29.1 minutes per game. He averages 2.9 assists per game and 4.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard scores 26.3 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.3 rebounds per contest and has 7.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. CJ McCollum averages 21.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.4 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averages 104.3 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -9.4 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 28th. From 3-point territory they shoot 32%, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 42.9 boards per contest and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 18th with 14.8 per game. The Warriors allow 113.7 points per contest, which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 40% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 30th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 15th, and they allow 25.7 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 11th in the NBA with 112.2 points per contest this season. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.89. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 9th in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.1 boards per contest and 29th in assists per game with 20.2. The Blazers are 27th in turnovers per contest with 13.6. The Blazers give up 114.1 points per game, which ranks them 21st in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.2 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 48.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 113.1, and their offensive rating of 103.8 is ranked 25th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 30th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. Golden State is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league. The Blazers are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.7, and their defensive rating of 111.6 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Golden State -9

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here