Pelicans vs Trail Blazers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Monday, March 27th

Check out our free Pelicans vs Trail Blazers pick and preview for this NBA game in Portland. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Pelicans vs Trail Blazers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers
Where: Portland at Moda Center
Date: Monday, March 27th
Betting Odds POR +8.5, NO -388 | POR +301 O/U OFF

The Pelicans come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 37-37. So far, the team has gone 35-39-0 against the spread. Over the team’s 4 game win streak, they have an average scoring differential of 21.25 points per game.

The Pelicans are coming off a 131-110 win over the Clippers. This away win came despite entering the game as the 4 point underdogs. New Orleans was able to maintain control throughout the game, as they outscored the Clippers in each quarter. In the win, Brandon Ingram led the team in scoring with 32 points on a field goal percentage of 54.5%.

So far, the Trail Blazers have put together an overall record of 32-42, while going 36-38-0 vs the spread. The Trail Blazers head into today’s action in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. Their average scoring differential in these defeats is -17.0.

The Trail Blazers will be looking to bounce back from a 118-112 loss to the Thunder. In terms of betting, Portland entered as 10 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. Portland was not able to turn things around in the 2nd half, as they trailed the Thunder by 6 going into halftime. In the loss, Shaedon Sharpe led the team in scoring with 29 points on a field goal percentage of 69.2%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Trail Blazers picked up the win 106-95 win over the Pelicans. Heading into the game, Portland was the 9.0 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. So far this season, the Pelicans have a record of 2-1 vs the Trail Blazers. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Pelicans averaged 118.33 points per game vs Portland, which was an increase over their season-long average. However, the Trail Blazers actually averaged fewer points per game than their season-long mark. Across their head-to-head matchups with New Orleans, the team averaged 99.33 points per game. Across the previous 5 meetings between the teams, the Pelicans have an average scoring margin of +12 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-2. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 1-4. Combined, they averaged 222 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 74 games, New Orleans is averaging 114.2 points per game (15th). Coming into today’s game, the Pelicans will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.0 made 3’s per game. If the New Orleans offense is going to turn things around, not only do they need to improve their outside shooting but they must do a better job protecting the ball. Currently, they are averaging 14.1 turnovers per game.

On defense, the Pelicans will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 13th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

On offense, CJ McCollum leads the Pelicans in scoring at 21.0 points per game, placing him 44th in the NBA. Overall, McCollum has hit 43.6% of his shots while accounting for 20.5% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 9th in points allowed to point-guards. At 14.4 points per game, Jonas Valanciunas is the 2nd leading scorer for the Pelicans. For the season, he is 61st in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 55.1%.

The Trail Blazers come into today’s game as the 16th ranked scoring offense at 114.1 points per game. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Trail Blazers are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 97.7 per contest. This slow style of play has made a difference in their overall scoring numbers, as Portland is just 26th in made field goals per game.

On defense, the Trail Blazers will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 27th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

Keep in mind that the top two scorers for the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, will not be playing in today’s game. This season, Lillard has been averaging 32.2 points per game, and Simons has been averaging 21.1 points per game.