Portland (0-3) at New Orleans (3-0)
When: Saturday, April 21st 2018
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Time: 5:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: New Orleans -6/216
Many experts thought that the New Orleans Pelicans over the Portland Trail Blazers could be one of the first round playoff upsets, but I don’t think anybody expected this. The Pelicans will go for the four-game sweep when they host Game 4 of their Western Conference series on Saturday night, April 21st. New Orleans completely dominated the Blazers in Game 3 and led by as many as 33 points in the 119-102 triumph. Anthony Davis is proving why he is one of the best players in the league, as Portland has no answers for him. Davis is averaging 28.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.3 steals in the series. The Blazers issues in Game 3 were not being able to hold onto the basketball, committing 24 turnovers and allowing the Pelicans to steal the ball 16 times. New Orleans has now won five of the last six meetings with the Blazers and probably would rather not have to go back to Portland for a Game 5.
The heart and soul of the Portland offense – guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum – are struggling against the Pelicans defense. The tandem actually had their best outing in Game 3, but were still only 9-of-16 from the floor. McCollum scored 22 points in Game 3 and is averaging 21 in the series, while Lillard scored a series-high 20 in Game 3 but is just 18-of-55 shooting through three games. Small forward Al-Farouq Aminu has helped out some with the scoring, recording 35 points in the past two games including 21 on 8-of-15 shooting in Game 3. Small forward Evan Turner, who was held scoreless in Game 2, sat out with a toe injury on Thursday and is questionable for Saturday.
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Davis isn’t the only Pelican having a terrific series, as forward Nikola Mirotic is averaging 21 points after a team-leading 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting in Game 3. Mirotic has made 11 3-pointers while averaging nine rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots and 1.7 steals in the series. Jrue Holiday is another that’s stepping up in playoff time. The former first round draft pick out of UCLA exploded for 33 points in the Game 2 victory and has 16 assists over the last two games.
New Orleans is proving that they are the better team in this series, but I think the Blazers have some life in them still. You can’t keep McCollum and Lillard down for long. I think the guard duo steps up with their best game of the series to at least keep this one close.
Pick: Blazers +7
- Trail Blazers are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Trail Blazers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Trail Blazers are 7-23-2 ATS in their last 32 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
- Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Trail Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southwest.
- Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Pelicans are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Pelicans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games.
- Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
- Pelicans are 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games following a ATS win.
- Pelicans are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 vs. Western Conference.
- Pelicans are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win.
- Pelicans are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 6-1 in Trail Blazers last 7 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 Saturday games.
- Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 vs. Western Conference.
- Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 6-2 in Trail Blazers last 8 games following a straight up loss.
- Under is 8-3 in Trail Blazers last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
- Over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 6-2 in Pelicans last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Under is 9-3-1 in Pelicans last 13 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Over is 24-9 in Pelicans last 33 home games.
- Under is 5-2-1 in Pelicans last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Over is 5-2 in Pelicans last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Over is 25-11 in Pelicans last 36 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 35-17 in Pelicans last 52 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
- Favorite is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
- Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans.
- Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
