NBA Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (25-51) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (39-38)

0
9

Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT
Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

Venue Context

The Moda Center has been a stabilizing home environment for Portland, where the Blazers hold a 21–17 home record entering this matchup.

Recent Team Form

Portland Trail Blazers (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: 7–3
  • Stats: 116.8 PPG, 48.6 RPG, 27.6 APG, 8.4 STL, 7.3 BLK
  • Opponent PPG: 105.5
  • FG%: 46.8%

Portland has won seven of their last nine, including a strong road win over the Clippers.

New Orleans Pelicans (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: 4–6
  • Stats: 112.3 PPG, 42.9 RPG, 25.9 APG, 8.5 STL, 6.5 BLK
  • Opponent PPG: 115.1
  • FG%: 47.2%

New Orleans enters on a five‑game losing streak, including a 134–102 loss to Houston.

Injury Report

New Orleans Pelicans

  • Bryce McGowens: Out (toe fracture)
  • Karlo Matković: Questionable (back spasms)
  • Trey Murphy III: Questionable (ankle sprain)

Portland Trail Blazers

  • Jerami Grant: Out (calf)
  • Vit Krejci: Out (calf)
  • Damian Lillard: Out for season (Achilles)
  • Shaedon Sharpe: Out (fibula stress reaction)
  • Jayson Kent, Hansen Yang, Chris Youngblood: Doubtful (Two‑Way)

Series History

  • This is the fourth meeting of the season.
  • Portland leads the season series 2–1.
  • Last meeting (Jan 3): Blazers won 122–109, led by Deni Avdija’s 34 points.

Key Player Matchups

Zion Williamson (NOP) vs. Deni Avdija (POR)

  • Williamson: 21.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG; leads NBA in paint scoring at 57.4 PPG for the team.
  • Avdija: 23.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.7 APG; coming off multiple high‑impact all‑around performances.

Scoot Henderson (POR) vs. Dejounte Murray (NOP)

  • Henderson: 15.1 PPG over last 10.
  • Murray: Scored 19 points on 57.1% shooting in last outing.

Jrue Holiday (POR) vs. Saddiq Bey (NOP)

  • Holiday: 30 points and seven threes vs. Clippers recently.
  • Bey: Averaging 2.8 made threes over last 10.

Betting Trends

  • Portland is 25–21 vs. Western Conference opponents.
  • Pelicans are 16–31 vs. Western Conference opponents.
  • Portland has won 7 of last 9 and is pushing for play‑in seeding.
  • Pelicans have lost five straight and are coming off their worst loss since October.