New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction: An exciting battle between two red-hot teams

NBA is on and what a riveting start to the season it has been as we are just three weeks into the action. Early on, there have been a lot of stunning developments. Strong teams like the Warriors, the Heat, and the Nets have been to a slow start whereas there are teams that are off to a hot start. One of those teams Portland Trail Blazers will take on the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans come into this game after a big-time 115:111 win against the Chicago Bulls as Brandon Ingram stacked up 22 points. The win broke the two-game losing streak. They have played close games after close games and two of their last five games have been Overtime battles. The Pels haven’t been incisive but they have a lot of potential and with a healthy unit, it is a matter of time before they figure it out.

The Forward duo of Ingram and Williams has been compatible and they have have combined for 40+ Points. Ingram brings isolation scoring both as a shooter and driver and Williamson wreaks havoc as a rim-racker. CJ McCollum although is listed as a Sooting Guard, is acting as the Point Guard, leading the team as a playmaker while bringing in high-yielding scoring, making it three 20+ points option for the Pels. Herbert Jones brings in defensive smarts whereas Jonas Valanciunas, Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance, Naji Marshall, and Trey Murphy play a strong support role. One issue for the Pels has been the lack of indecision when they are in close games.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers come into this game after defeating the Charlotte Hornets 105:95 as Damian Lillard sunk 26 points. The Trail Blazers have overwhelmed the experts and have posted eight wins and three losses, keeping the ship afloat even without Damian Lillard. The Trail Blazers have won six of seven games with Lillard so it proves his worth. Anfernee Simons is an incredible shooting option and alongside Lillard, forms one of the strongest Guard pairings in the league.

The Trail Blazers have had a tough schedule, including a game against the Grizzlies, two games against the Suns, a tussle against the Heat, and in the next two games, they will face the Pelicans and the Mavs. Jerami Grant has been a huge difference-maker as a terrific defender and also a brilliant rim driver. Jusuf Nurkic has given a strong rebounding support whereas Josh Hart is a beautiful hustler and defender. Shaedon Sharpe is a promising rookie whereas Justis Winslow has given decent support as a defender and all-around threat.

Injuries

• Pelicans: OUT: Garrett Temple, Kira Lewis Jr., E.J. Liddell;
• Trail Blazers: OUT: Gary Payton II, Olivier Sarr. QUESTIONABLE: Jerami Grant, Keon Johnson, Keon Johnson.

Player Props

• Pelicans: OUT: Pelicans: Garrett Temples, Kira Lewis, E.J. Liddell;
• Trail Blazers: OUT: Game–Time Decisions: Jereami Grant, Keon Johnson, Jusuf Nurkic, OUT: Olivier Sarrr, Gary Payton II.

Expert Betting Tips

The Trail Blazers have been doing a great job on both the ends and they have had an awesome record thus far. If Grant doesn’t play for Williamson, they will have a tough time keeping down Williamson and Ingram. I believe the Pelians will have a stong starrt here and will close out the Trail Blazers in a heated affair. I expect the total points rang can be 215-225 here.