Odds, picks and predictions for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers (0-1) welcome the New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) against Moda Center on Friday. The meeting point is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. Let's analyze the 24/7 NBA odds from BetMGM Sportsbook Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Opportunities and meet our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season Series: First Meeting; The Pelicans went 3-0 last season

The Trail Blazers lost to the Golden State Warriors 139-104 on Wednesday and finished as 7.5 point underdogs. Portland, which was 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread (ATS) in the preseason, shot just 39% from the field and 24% from deep. It had 17 turnovers and finished with a -15 differential on the glass. The Blazers finished last season in the Western Conference with a record of 21-61.

The Pelicans, who finished 8th in the West a season ago, went 1-2 straight and 2-1 ATS in the preseason. They defeated the Chicago Bulls 123-111 at home on Wednesday and finished as 5-point favorites. The Pelicans were led by F Brandon Ingramwho shot 13 of 23 from the field and scored 33 points. New Orleans finished with just 11 turnovers and held the Bulls to just 29% from distance.

Pelicans at Trail Blazers odds

Powered by BetMGM Sportsbook; Visit the USA TODAY sports scores and sports betting hub for a complete list of NBA odds. Lines were last updated at 8:49 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
• Against the spread: Pelicans -5.5 (-115) | Trailblazer +5.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Pelicans at Trail Blazers with major injuries

Pelicans

• G Trey Murphy III (thigh) out
• G Dejounte Murray (distribute).

Trailblazer

• G Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) out
• G Matisse Thybulle (knees) out
• C Robert Williams III (thigh) out

For the latest updates: Official NBA Injury Report.

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Pelicans at Trail Blazers – Tips and Predictions

forecast

Pelicans 116, Trail Blazers 112

Money line

HAPPEN.

The Pelicans (-250) are the better team overall and should be able to come out on top. Portland is still young and should try to figure out its identity and who will be its first choice on offense.

Against the spread

BET TRAIL BLAZERS +5.5 (-105).

Portland, with C Deandre Ayton If it eats up the middle, it potentially limits second-chance opportunities and has the length to limit Ingram as well. Golden State destroyed the Blazers from deep, and New Orleans doesn't have the same firepower.

The Pelicans beat the Bulls by 12 points, but only had one quarter in which they outscored by more than 4 points. Likewise, the Blazers were up 21 at the end of the first quarter, as were the Warriors. They can continue to play well and compete far better with New Orleans than with Golden State. Expect a close result and take it TRAILBLAZER +5.5 (-105).

Over/Under

BET UNDER 218.5 (-110).

Neither team is overly aggressive from deep or on the offensive boards. The Trail Blazers shot 24% from deep in their game against the Warriors and had 17 turnovers while not ending the possession with shots far too often.

The Pelicans made 37 triples and knocked down just 14 of them – a rate of 37.8%. They also only had seven offensive boards, so they didn't often get second chances.

Take into account these style trends UNDER 218.5 (-110).

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