NBA New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2 Spread and Prediction

Date/Time: 04-17-2018, 22:30 EDT

Spread: Portland Trail Blazers -6.5

Total: +214

In a rematch of the thrilling game 1 in Portland where the Pelicans managed the only break in the Western Conference quarterfinals, the third Portland Trail Blazers (49-33), who are in desperate need for this win in order to avoid a disastrous 0-2 in the series, are hosting once again the sixth New Orleans Pelicans (48-34).

Portland had a 49-33 record (45-32-5 ATS) in the regular season. They finished 3^rd in the West and they are 1-5 in their last 6. New Orleans finished had a 47-34 record (45-36-1 ATS) in the regular season. They were tied with two more teams in the 4^th place of the West but dropped 6^th by losing all tie-breakers and they have won their last 6 games.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

In Game 1 two days ago, New Orleans had a balanced help from 4 of their 5 starters and managed to get away with a precious road win with a 95-97 score, getting a 1-0 lead and the home court advantage in the series. Lillard and McCollum were held into 1-15 shots in the first half and New Orleans took advantage of that to build a 9 point lead. They led much as 19 points by the 3^rd quarter before the hosts managed to bounce back in the fourth but court never recover. Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 21 points and 7 rebounds. Nikola Mirotic had 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Rondo made a game-high 17 assists. McCollum led the Blazers with 19 points and Lillard added 18, with 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Portland have a 28-14 home record, while New Orleans are 25-17 on the road. Pelicans are better offensively, scoring a third-best 111.7 ppg to Blazers’ 105.6, while Blazers are better defensively, allowing 103 ppg to Pelicans’ 110.4 (second-worse). Pelicans have a better field goal percentage, shooting with 48.34% to Blazers’ 45.18%, while Blazers have a better 3-point percentage, shooting with 36.61% to New Orleans’ 36.2%. Blazers are better in rebounding, with 45.5 to Pelicans’ 44.3, while New Orleans are better in assists made, with a third-best 26.8 per game to Blazers’ 19.5 (league-low). Lillard and McCollum won’t be as bad for a second straight home game, so pick the Blazers for a win by more than 7 points today.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 1 Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers -6.5 (-107)