The Portland Trail Blazers (9-15) host the even more beleaguered New Orleans Pelicans (3-22) in a Northwest Division battle that feels like a must-win for both, but especially for the Pelicans, who are dead last in the West and desperate to snap a 10-game losing streak. Portland, clinging to the 12th seed, has shown flashes of youth-driven energy but remains inconsistent on defense (118.2 PPG allowed, 26th in NBA). New Orleans, ravaged by injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, relies on CJ McCollum’s scoring punch, but their road woes (1-12 away) and turnover issues (+2.1 margin, but 15.4 per game) spell trouble in a projected low-scoring grinder at Moda Center. This could be a trap game for the Blazers if they overlook the Pelicans’ pride.
Venue Location
Moda Center, Portland, Oregon (capacity: 19,393). The Blazers are 6-6 at home this season, with a 5-3 ATS mark in their last eight, but they’ve lost three of their last four in Portland to Western Conference bottom-feeders.
Tipoff: 10:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast on Root Sports Northwest (Blazers) and Bally Sports New Orleans (Pelicans), with national streaming on NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Injuries continue to decimate the Pelicans, with their top two stars out indefinitely, forcing a committee approach. Portland has minor bumps but is mostly intact, giving their young core a chance to shine. Updates from Wednesday’s shootarounds:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Trail Blazers | Deandre Ayton | C | Out | Calf (Strain) | Missed last four games; 16.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG. Donovan Clingan steps in. |
| Trail Blazers | Matisse Thybulle | G | Questionable | Ankle | Limited practice; elite defender (1.9 SPG) averages 7.4 PPG. |
| Trail Blazers | Scoot Henderson | G | Available | None | Full go; breakout 18.5 PPG, 6.2 APG over last 10. |
| Trail Blazers | Anfernee Simons | G | Available | None | Ready; 22.1 PPG, team’s leading scorer. |
| Pelicans | Zion Williamson | F | Out (Indefinite) | Foot (Stress Reaction) | Sidelined since Week 5; 24.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG pre-injury. |
| Pelicans | Brandon Ingram | F | Out | Ankle (Sprain) | DNP all week; 26.1 PPG, 5.7 APG. Expected back early January. |
| Pelicans | Herb Jones | F | Out | Shoulder (Labrum Tear) | IR since November; perimeter stopper missed 20 games. |
| Pelicans | Jose Alvarado | G | Questionable | Wrist | Limited; pesky defender (2.1 SPG) averages 6.8 PPG off bench. |
| Pelicans | CJ McCollum | G | Available | None | Cleared; 23.4 PPG, but 39.2% FG in last five road games. |
| Pelicans | Trey Murphy III | F | Available | None | Back in lineup; 14.7 PPG, 38.5% 3PT shooter. |
New Orleans’ frontcourt is paper-thin without Zion and Ingram, putting immense pressure on McCollum and Murphy. Portland’s rebounding edge (44.2 per game) could prove decisive.
Player Matchups
Key individual duels will highlight the youth vs. experience theme, with Portland’s speed testing New Orleans’ depleted depth:
Trail Blazers G Anfernee Simons vs. Pelicans G CJ McCollum
Simons (22.1 PPG, 40.2% 3PT) faces his former teammate McCollum (23.4 PPG), who’s struggled on the road (18.6 PPG). McCollum’s mid-range game (48.5% 2PT) challenges Simons’ on-ball defense (1.1 SPG), but Portland’s home crowd could fuel a 25+ point night for Simons.
Pelicans F Trey Murphy III vs. Trail Blazers F Jerami Grant
Murphy (14.7 PPG, 38.5% 3PT) steps up as the primary scorer sans Ingram, drawing Grant’s physicality (20.3 PPG, 1.4 BPG). Grant has held wings under 15 points in three of five, but Murphy’s length could stretch Portland’s rotations. Double-digit scoring from Murphy keeps it close.
Trail Blazers G Scoot Henderson vs. Pelicans G Jose Alvarado (if active)
Henderson (18.5 PPG, 6.2 APG last 10) thrives in transition against Alvarado’s chaos (questionable; 2.1 SPG). If Alvarado sits, New Orleans’ backcourt leaks points (118.4 allowed to guards). Henderson’s over 18.5 points is prime.
Pelicans C Yves Missi vs. Trail Blazers C Donovan Clingan
Rookie Missi (8.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG) battles Clingan (10.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG filling in for Ayton). Both raw bigs, but Clingan’s rebounding (projected 12+ boards) exploits NOLA’s weak interior (42.1% opponent FG at rim).
Trail Blazers G Shaedon Sharpe vs. Pelicans Bench
Sharpe (15.8 PPG off bench, 42.1% 3PT) targets New Orleans’ reserves (26.4 bench PPG, 29th). His athleticism shines in spot-up roles, potentially dropping 20+ in limited minutes.
Portland’s athletic wings give them matchup advantages across the board.
Team Records
Portland Trail Blazers: 9-15 (12th in Western Conference)
6-6 at home, averaging 112.4 PPG (21st) while allowing 118.2 (26th). Solid rebounding (+1.8 margin) but poor from deep (35.4%, 23rd), with a 5-10 ATS in last 15.
New Orleans Pelicans: 3-22 (15th in Western Conference)
1-12 on the road, averaging 108.6 PPG (27th) and allowing 115.4 (21st). Turnover machine (15.4 per game) and bottom-five defense (118.9 defensive rating), 2-21 ATS overall.
Portland owns the season series tiebreaker (1-0 after a 112-105 win on Nov. 18).
Recent Team Forms
Portland has stabilized with two wins in their last five, leaning on Simons and Henderson. The Pelicans, however, are in freefall, losing 10 straight and outscored by 12.4 PPG during the skid.
| Trail Blazers Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ UTA | Dec 6 | Away | W 118-112 | Simons 28 PTS, 5 AST; 48.2% FG, force 16 TOs. |
| vs. MEM | Dec 4 | Home | L 105-114 | Henderson 20 PTS, 7 REB; Defense allows 52% in 2nd half. |
| @ DEN | Dec 2 | Away | L 109-122 | Grant 24 PTS; Outrebounded 48-35. |
| vs. OKC | Nov 30 | Home | W 115-108 | Sharpe 22 PTS off bench; 12 3s made. |
| @ SAC | Nov 28 | Away | L 102-119 | Clingan 12 REB; 38 TOs combined hurt pace. |
Form Notes: 2-3, outscored 109-115. Home wins average 7 points; youth scoring up 15% in last 10.
| Pelicans Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ LAL | Dec 7 | Away | L 98-115 | McCollum 21 PTS; 41.7% FG, 18 TOs. |
| @ GSW | Dec 5 | Away | L 112-128 | Murphy 18 PTS, 4 3s; Blown out after 1st quarter. |
| vs. MIN | Dec 3 | Home | L 101-118 | McCollum 25 PTS; Bench scores just 22. |
| @ DAL | Dec 1 | Away | L 105-122 | Alvarado 12 PTS, 3 STL; Defense torched for 60 paint pts. |
| vs. HOU | Nov 29 | Home | L 114-120 | Murphy 20 PTS; Late rally falls 6 pts short. |
Form Notes: 0-5, outscored 105-121. Road losses by 15+ average; scoring dips to 102.4 PPG without stars.
Series History
All-time, Portland leads 142-124 in 266 meetings, but New Orleans has won four of the last seven (average score: 114.3-110.2, 224.5 total points). The Blazers took the most recent 112-105 on Nov. 18, 2024, behind Simons’ 30 points. In Portland, it’s even (Pelicans 68-67 all-time), with the home team winning six of the last eight. Overs have cashed in 5 of 10 (average 222 points), but recent games trend under due to NOLA’s offensive woes. This is the second of four meetings this season.
Betting Trends
Spread: 68% of bets/74% of handle on Blazers -6.5 (public backing home fave). Portland 6-2 ATS last eight home; Pelicans 1-14 ATS as road dogs.
Total: 55% bets on Under 218.5 (79% handle), as 9 of NOLA’s last 12 games stayed under and Portland unders hit in 7 of 10 vs. Southwest. Combined average: 221 points.
Moneyline: 71% bets on Blazers, but Pelicans +220 value for covers (3-19 SU road). Blazers 7-5 SU as home favorites.
Key Trends: Portland 5-1 ATS in last six vs. Southwest; New Orleans 0-10 SU in last 10 road games.
Game Odds
Portland Trail Blazers – 4.5
New Orleans Pelicans 241.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
