Orlando (12-16) at Portland (12-16)
When: Friday, December 20th, 2019
Where: Moda Center,
Portland, OR
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: FS Florida
Opening Odds: Portland -5.5/218
Two teams playing below expectations so far this season will square-off Friday night in the Pacific Northwest as the Orlando Magic visit the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. The Blazers made the Western Conference Finals a year ago, but had a rough start to the season thanks to the NBA schedule in which they played more road games than any other team over the first month. They are in the middle of a nice stretch of home games and improved their Moda Center record to 6-6 on Wednesday with a 122-112 win over the Golden State Warriors – their seventh win in 11 games after starting 5-12. Despite the good run recently, the Blazers are just 3-6 ATS in their last nine but have covered their last two at home. While Portland is a half-game out of the top eight in the West entering Thursday, the Magic are a half-game in the top eight, but have been really struggling recently. Orlando has dropped five of their last six after Wednesday’s 113-104 loss at Denver and are 1-2 on their four-game road trip that wraps up in Portland. The Magic led by 15 at halftime in Denver but were outscored 39-16 in the third quarter en route to dropping to 4-10 away from home. The Blazers have won five straight meetings with Orlando, going 3-1-1 ATS in the process while the under is 3-2 in that stretch.
The Magic are having a hard time shooting the ball this season, ranking 29th in the league in scoring (103.5) and 27th in field goal percentage (43.4). The defense is holding opponents to 104.8 a game, but are shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. All-Star center Nikola Vucevic is averaging 17.3 points and nine rebounds in three games since returning from an ankle injury, while shooting guard Evan Fournier still leads the team in scoring at 19.8. Jonathan Isaac, who averages 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, was held to 17 minutes Wednesday by hamstring and lower-back tightness, and is questionable for Friday. Point guard D.J. Augustin is 7-for-11 from 3-point range and 18-for-18 from the free-throw line in the past three games.
Portland is the best free throw shooting team in the league (82.1), but are 16th in field goal percentage at 45.2 and are led by their two guards. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard are averaging 30 and 29 points respectively over the last two games while veteran Carmelo Anthony is scoring 19 a game over his last four. Underrated center Hassan Whiteside brought down 23 rebounds on Wednesday and is averaging 18.4 points and 14 boards in his last eight contests. The Blazers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday before concluding their four-game homestand with New Orleans on Monday.
I’m giving the edge to the home team here and the team that just shoots better. I know the Blazers are only 12-16, but they’re better than that and have been playing well. I’ll lay the points.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Friday. He is 33-22-2 on the season!
Pick: Blazers -3.5
Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Magic are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Magic are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Magic are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.
Magic are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 Friday games.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Trail Blazers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
Trail Blazers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 overall.
Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Magic last 4 games as an underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Magic last 5 games as a road underdog.
Over is 8-3 in Magic last 11 road games.
Over is 10-4 in Magic last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-4 in Magic last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 overall.
Under is 7-2 in Trail Blazers last 9 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 27-10-1 in Trail Blazers last 38 home games.
Over is 18-7-1 in Trail Blazers last 26 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last 7 Friday games.
Over is 22-9-1 in Trail Blazers last 32 games as a home favorite.
Under is 7-3 in Trail Blazers last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-5-1 in Trail Blazers last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Magic are 1-3-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Magic are 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Portland.
