New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/18/2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Moda Center
Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.
The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Friday, January 18, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 4.5 point favorites.
The Pelicans have a record of 21-23. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of 2.0 as they average 117.5 points per game while giving up 115.5 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 27-19. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They total 112.2 points per contest and give up 110.0, which is a point differential of 2.2.
Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends
The New Orleans Pelicans are 20-24-0 against the spread
The New Orleans Pelicans are 22-21-0 against the over/under
Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends
The Portland Blazers are 23-22-0 against the spread
The Portland Blazers are 20-25-0 against the over/under
Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries
No key injuries to report
Key Portland Blazers Injuries
01/16/19 SF Maurice Harkless Knee is questionable Friday vs New Orleans
Player Spotlight
Jrue Holiday averages 20.8 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest. He averages 8.2 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%. Anthony Davis comes into this contest averaging 29.4 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 13.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.
Player Spotlight
CJ McCollum averages 20.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Damian Lillard averages 26.2 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 6.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 91%.
Useful Team Statistics
The Pelicans allow 115.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they give up 25.5 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league. New Orleans averages 117.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 47.0 rebounds per game and 27.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 7th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 14.2 per game.
Useful Team Statistics
The Blazers surrender 110.0 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 23.3 assists allowed per contest, and 10th with 43.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 11.9 per game. Portland is 10th in the league with 112.2 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 22.2. The Blazers are 18th in turnovers per game with 13.8.
Advanced Statistics
The Pelicans are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 112.9, and their offensive rating of 114.9 is ranked 25th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA. New Orleans is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 6th in the NBA.
Advanced Statistics
Portland is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The Blazers are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.4, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.
Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Blazers NBA game against the spread?
Tony's Pick: Take Portland -4.5
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