New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Predictions, NBA Picks Today 2/21/2020

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Friday, February 21, 2020

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: New Orleans -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 234.5

Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans (23-32, 5th in the Southwest Division) go to Moda Center on Friday where they'll meet the Portland Trail Blazers (25-31, 4th in the Northwest Division). Portland opens this matchup as 1.5 point dogs. The over/under opens at 234.5.

The Pelicans cover the spread 52.8% of the time, having gone 28-25-2 ATS. Portland is covering 42.6% of the time, going 23-31-2 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

02/19/20 SF Brandon Ingram Ankle is upgraded to probable Friday vs Portland

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/25/19 PF Zach Collins Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
10/19/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg is out indefinitely
02/19/20 PG Damian Lillard Groin is out indefinitely
02/14/20 SF Mario Hezonja Ankle is questionable Friday vs New Orleans
02/14/20 SF Nassir Little Ankle is questionable Friday vs New Orleans

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday comes into this game averaging 19.3 points per contest while playing 34.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 71%. Brandon Ingram averages 24.9 points per contest in 34.1 minutes per game. He averages 4.2 assists per game and 6.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum scores 21.3 points per contest while playing 35.7 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.9 rebounds per contest and has 3.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Carmelo Anthony averages 15.1 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.6 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 115.8 points per contest, which is 5th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They average 46.6 boards per contest and 26.3 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 3rd with 16.0 per game. The Pelicans allow 117.3 points per contest, which is 28th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 8th in the NBA with 113.4 points per contest this season. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.86. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 6th in the league. They are 10th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.8 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 20.0. The Blazers are 27th in turnovers per contest with 12.9. The Blazers give up 115.3 points per game, which ranks them 26th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 24.4 dimes allowed per game and 30th with 48.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 3rd in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 112.2, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 22nd. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. New Orleans is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Blazers are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 113.8, and their offensive rating of 112 is ranked 27th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 20th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -1.5

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