New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Pelicans vs Trail Blazers November 4th 2024

At 9:30 ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (-144) will host the Portland Trail Blazers (+121) at the Smoothie King Center in a Western Conference matchup. The Pelicans are favored by 3 points, and the over/under line is set at 222.

Portland comes into this game with a record of 2-5, while New Orleans is 3-4. The game can be seen on KATU.

Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans Key Information

Portland fell to 2-5 on the season after a 103-97 loss to the Suns on Saturday. The Blazers, who were +12.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The total score of 200 points fell well short of the 228.5-point over/under line.

Portland took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Suns 29-21. However, Phoenix dominated the 3rd quarter, going on an 11-0 run and outscoring the Blazers 44-18. Portland fought back in the 4th, winning the quarter 32-16, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

The Trail Blazers struggled offensively in their loss to the Suns, shooting just 33.3% from the field. Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant led the way with 20 points each, with Simons also adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

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Portland made 14 threes, shooting 32.6% from beyond the arc. Dalano Banton scored all 12 of his points in the 4th quarter, while Simons also added 10 points in the final period.

The Trail Blazers put together a strong defensive effort in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters, but a 44-point 3rd quarter from the Suns proved costly in their 103-97 loss. Portland held Phoenix to 37% shooting overall, a solid performance despite the defeat.

From beyond the arc, the Suns hit 17 threes at a 32% clip. The Trail Blazers sent Phoenix to the line 22 times, where they converted 16 free throws. Portland finished with 42 defensive rebounds, allowing 13 offensive boards, while also recording 10 steals and 5 blocks.

The Pelicans fell to 3-4 on the season after a 126-111 home loss to the Hawks on Sunday. New Orleans, who entered the game as +1.5 underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 237 points exceeded the O/U line of 225.5 by 11.5 points.

New Orleans led 59-58 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half. Atlanta outscored them 35-26 in the 3rd quarter and went on a decisive 14-0 run in the 4th, stretching the score from 105-97 to 111-105.

The Trail Blazers struggled offensively in their 103-97 loss to the Suns, shooting just 33.3% from the field. Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant each scored 20 points, with Simons adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Simons hit 4 threes at a 30.8% clip, while Grant shot 22.2% from deep, making 2 threes.

Portland made 14 threes as a team, shooting 32.6% from beyond the arc. Dalano Banton scored all 12 of his points in the 4th quarter, while Simons also added 10 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Pelicans struggled against the Hawks, giving up 126 points on 56% shooting. They allowed 33 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, and 35 in the 3rd, despite a better 2nd quarter where they held Atlanta to 25 points.

The Pelicans allowed 15 threes on 41% shooting. They sent the Hawks to the line 12 times, where they made 11 free throws. New Orleans finished with 25 defensive rebounds, giving up 10 offensive boards, while recording 6 steals and 3 blocks.

Coming in as the underdogs at +3, we have the Trail Blazers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 222 and our model has the Trail Blazers and Pelicans finishing with a combined 237 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Familiar Foes Blazers, Pelicans Tangle for Third Time This Season

The Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans are set to clash again, with both teams looking to gain some momentum after a challenging start to the season. This matchup marks their third meeting in just two weeks, with each team having won one game apiece in Portland earlier in the season.

Blazers Seek Consistency After Recent Struggles

The Trail Blazers head into Monday’s game hoping to overcome their third-quarter woes and build on the grit they displayed against the Phoenix Suns. The Blazers had back-to-back games this past weekend, suffering a tough 137-114 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, followed by a 103-97 loss to Phoenix on Sunday.

Portland’s third-quarter struggles have been a recurring theme. Against the Thunder, they went from a tied halftime score to a 21-point deficit after the third quarter. Similarly, they led the Suns by four at halftime but were outscored by 26 points in the third, forcing them into a late-game rally that came up short.

Head coach Chauncey Billups was heartened by his team’s resilience in the face of adversity, especially in the final stretch against Phoenix. “Another tough third quarter for us, but man, we came out and really got ourselves back in the game,” Billups said. “We never caved in… I’m proud of our guys for just hanging in.”

Portland’s challenge now is to string together four solid quarters and avoid costly lapses that opposing teams have exploited.

Pelicans Looking to Regain Form Despite Injuries

The Pelicans, meanwhile, are also trying to find some stability as injuries have hampered their roster. With key players, including Zion Williamson, sitting out due to various ailments, the Pelicans struggled in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, eventually falling 126-111.

Brandon Ingram has stepped up in Williamson’s absence, leading the team with 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Head coach Willie Green praised Ingram’s evolving shot selection, which now includes a higher volume of 3-point attempts. “I love that he’s staying with it,” Green said. “When he can knock down threes, it opens up his ability to get to the free-throw line.”

Despite Ingram’s efforts, turnovers proved costly for New Orleans. They committed 18 turnovers, six of which came in the fourth quarter, disrupting any chance of a comeback. Rookie Jordan Hawkins, who scored 19 points, acknowledged the impact of those errors, particularly as Atlanta pulled away in the latter part of the game.

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Key Matchups and Game Outlook

1. Brandon Ingram vs. Anfernee Simons
   With Zion Williamson out, Ingram has become the primary scoring option for the Pelicans. On the Blazers’ side, Anfernee Simons has shown he can carry a scoring load, and this duel could define the game’s offensive tone.
2. Portland’s Defense vs. Pelicans’ Ball Control
   Portland will need to capitalize on New Orleans’ turnover issues. By pressuring the ball, the Blazers can disrupt the Pelicans’ flow and create transition opportunities, especially given New Orleans’ struggles with handling the ball under pressure.
3. Blazers’ Third-Quarter Performance
   The Blazers have been prone to third-quarter breakdowns, a trend they’ll need to reverse. A strong showing in the third could provide the momentum they need to stay competitive in the final period.

Game Implications

The Blazers and Pelicans are both in need of a confidence-boosting win to steady their early-season form. Portland hopes to avoid another mid-game slump, while New Orleans seeks to maintain possession and protect the ball to limit scoring opportunities for the Blazers. With each team holding a win in this season series, Monday’s game presents an opportunity for one team to gain the upper hand before their next meeting in January.

In what’s likely to be another hard-fought matchup, the resilience and composure displayed in key moments could be the deciding factors.