The Portland Trail Blazers (8-3) visit the Smoothie King Center Thursday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (6-5). Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Trail Blazers are one of the more surprising teams to this point in the season. Led by G Damian Lillard, the Blazers are 6-2 in conference games and 5-1 on the road, the best record in the West.
Lillard is averaging 28.6 points per game this season and is shooting 48% from the field and 40.8% from deep. G Anfernee Simons is the other dangerous offensive player, averaging 22 per game.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, have played well but have also struggled heavily with injuries to both star F Brandon Ingram and F Zion Williamson. Both should be active against Portland.