New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
April 20, 2018
Date & Time: Saturday, April 21 @5:00 PM
Venue: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans)
Head to head record
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers 119-102
Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans 102-111
Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans 95-97
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers 103-107
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers 119-113
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers prediction
New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to clinch their place in the Western Conference play-offs semis when they welcome Portland Trail Blazers at their Smoothie King Center in Game 4.
Impressive winning run
New Orleans Pelicans have been producing splendid showings in the 2018 NBA play-offs. New Orleans are leading the series 3-0 against Portland Trail Blazers and they are with one foot in the Western Conference semis. New Orleans are eager to extend their winning run in NBA to nine games and a win over Portland will see them make it to the next round. Pelicans are brimming with confidence ahead of Game 4 and, no doubt, they want to get their job done in the tie against Trail Blazers as soon as possible. Spain international Nikola Mirotic impressed in the 119-102 win over as he scored no less than 30 points for Alvin Gentry’s troops. It has to be noted that New Orleans are eyeing their fourth consecutive win at home. Yet another man to watch in the home team will be Anthony Davis, who has been averaging 28.1 points this season.
The likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Alexis Ajinca and Frank Jackson remain in the recovery room, but coach Alvin Gentry has no other injury worries ahead of Game 4.
Must-win game
Portland Trail Blazers did well to finish the regular part of the season in 3rd place in the Western Conference and, as a result, they were
considered favourites to win the tie against New Orleans Pelicans. However, they failed to impress in first three games of the quarter-finals. Trail Blazers are on the verge of suffering elimination in the 2018 NBA play-offs, but hope dies last. Portland players are likely to leave their hearts on the court in Saturday’s clash against New Orleans Pelicans, but they will have to be at their sharpest this time out if they are to keep their hopes of making it to the conference semis alive. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard are undisputedly the team’s key players and all eyes will be on them when the two teams face each other in Game 4. Nonetheless, you should bear in mind that Portland are on a six-game losing run in NBA, speaking of away games.
The likes of Jusuf Nurkic and Evan Turner are both rated doubtful for Saturday’s clash, whils C.J. Wilcox is definitely out of contention with a knee problem.
Interesting Facts
- Portland suffered a loss in each of their last six away games
- Pelicans emerged triumphant in five of last six meeting with Portland
- Anthony Davis has been averaging 28 points in last ten games
- New Orleans scored 100+ points in each of their previous six home matches
- Damian Lillard has 26.9 points per game this season
New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers betting pick
New Orleans Pelicans are with one foot in the Western Conference semis and seeing that they are high on confidence ahead of Saturday’s showdown, I believe that they are going to record their fourth consecutive win over Terry Stotts’ charges. Taking everything into account, Pelicans are more of a team than Trail Blazers, thus this tie should be over on Saturday.
Pick: New Orleans Pelicans -7
Odds: -111
