Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Betting (Nov. 10): Paint Presence Gives Edge to Pelicans

Another new slate of 2022-23 NBA games is upon us on Thursday, Nov. 10. The Western Conference will be on full display in the former of a Trail Blazers vs Pelicans matchup as Portland and New Orleans attempt to improve their respective spots in the standings.

The Trail Blazers were in action less than 24 hours ago, walking out with a 105-95 win against the Charlotte Hornets. It was once again ‘Dame Time’ as Damian Lillard led his time to victory with a game-high 26 points, finishing with six rebounds and seven assists as well.

The Pelicans also played on Wednesday night, scoring a 115-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls. New Orleans out-rebounded Chicago, 50-35, en route to the win, highlighted by Jonas Valanciunas’ 21-point, 13-rebound double-double.

There’s a lot to take in before Thursday’s Trail Blazers vs Pelicans game. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the game’s odds while also having a prediction and best bet for tonight’s contest.

Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Portland Trail Blazers (8-3, 5-1 Away) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (6-5, 2-1 Home)
• Venue & Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022
• Game Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time
• Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Info: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports New Orleans

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:28 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Portland Trail Blazers +6.5 (-110)
• New Orleans Pelicans -6.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 226 Points (-110)
• Under 226 Points (-110)

Moneyline

• Portland Trail Blazers +225
• New Orleans Pelicans -275

Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

• Portland is 3-7 straight up in its last 10 games against New Orleans.
• New Orleans is 7-13 straight up in its last 20 games played in November.
• Portland is 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last six games.
• New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games against Portland.
• The total has hit the under in nine of Portland’s last 10 road games.
• The total has hit the under in four of New Orleans’ last five games against Portland.

Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction and Picks

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Prediction: Pelicans 111, Trail Blazers 108

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Picks: Trail Blazers +6.5 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 226 Points (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline)

Nobody expected the Trail Blazers to be one of the best teams this season, but here were are. With an 8-3 record, Portland is tied for the second-best record in the Western Conference. Furthermore, the team enters this matchup with an impressive 5-1 record on the road.

Lillard has been his usual self this season, averaging 28.6 points on .480/.408/.864 shooting in seven games. Anfernee Simons has also stepped up big with his 22.0 PPG clip while Jermani Grant has been the Trail Blazers’ third-highest scorer (18.4 PPG).

Having said that, the Blazers haven’t been winning due to offense. In fact, they average the eighth-fewest points (109.4 PPG). Instead, the Trail Blazers have been all about defense, allowing 107.6 PPG (eighth-best) while forcing opponents to shoot just 45.0% from the field (No. 7).

Even with Portland’s solid defense, it’s going to be tough to contain the opposition. The Pelicans are the third-highest-scoring team this season, averaging 118.2 PPG. They have six players averaging double-digit totals, including Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who are both scoring at a 22.7 PPG rate.

Unsurprisingly, most of the Pelicans’ success has come in the trenches. They lead the NBA with 57.8 points in the pain (PITP) per game, whereas the Trail Blazers rank in the bottom half of the league in that regard.

Speaking of the paint, the Pelicans also average the fourth-most rebounds this season. While the Trail Blazers aren’t bad at collecting boards (52.2 RPG, No. 17), they won’t be a match for the Pelicans — especially if top center Jusuf Nurkic continues to miss time.

It’s also worth pointing out that New Orleans is 9-3 straight up in its last 12 home games against Portland. The Trail Blazers haven’t defeated the Pelicans on the road since February 2021, which is their only victory in their last five trips to Smoothie King Center.

Having said that, I’m taking the Pelicans to win tonight. I think their paint presence will be too much for the Trail Blazers, especially after playing a game less than 24 hours ago.

Still, I do expect this game to be a tight one, leading to me backing the Trail Blazers on the spread. Portland has been catching people off guard all year and has kept it close against tough teams. Look for the Blazers to only lose this one by a handful of points.

I’m also taking the under on the 226-point total. While both sides are capable of combining for that many points, the total has gone under in four of the last five Trail Blazers vs Pelicans matchups, averaging 211.8 points in the last four.