San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions November 7th 2024

Spurs vs Trail Blazers November 7th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Portland Trail Blazers (3-5) will take on the San Antonio Spurs (3-5) at the Frost Bank Center in a Western Conference matchup. The Spurs are currently favored by 4.5 points and have a moneyline of -179, while the Trail Blazers are +150 on the moneyline. The over/under line for the game is set at 217.5.

This game will be televised on KATU.

Trail Blazers vs. Spurs Key Information

Portland improved to 3-5 on the season with a 118-100 win over the Pelicans on Monday. The Blazers, who were +1 point underdogs, covered the spread with the win. The game’s total points of 218 narrowly missed the O/U line of 219.

Portland trailed 30-21 after the 1st quarter but chipped away at the lead, outscoring New Orleans 27-25 in the 2nd and 31-27 in the 3rd. They took control with a 10-0 run, extending the score from 59-52 to 69-52, and dominated the 4th quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 39-18.

The Trail Blazers shot 54.8% from the field in their win over the Pelicans, with Anfernee Simons leading the way at 58.8% shooting and 24 points. Dalano Banton added 20 points, shooting 88.9% from the field, and Deandre Ayton contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds, hitting 64.3% of his shots.

Portland made 10 three-pointers, shooting 34.5% from beyond the arc. Banton scored all 20 of his points in the 4th quarter, while Simons added 7 points in the final period.

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Portland’s defense tightened up in the 4th quarter, allowing just 18 points to help secure the win over New Orleans. The Trail Blazers gave up 100 points overall, with the Pelicans shooting 45% from the field.

From beyond the arc, Portland held New Orleans to 28% shooting, giving up just 10 threes. The Pelicans also went 14/16 from the free-throw line. Defensively, the Trail Blazers recorded 10 steals and 5 blocks.

The Spurs fell to 3-5 on the season after a 127-100 road loss to the Rockets on Wednesday. San Antonio, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 227 points exceeded the O/U line of 215.5 by 11.5 points.

San Antonio struggled early, scoring just 19 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters while allowing 31 and 32 points, respectively. They showed some fight in the 3rd, outscoring Houston 33-31, but entered the 4th quarter down 94-71. The Rockets pulled away in the final period, outscoring the Spurs 33-29.

In their 127-100 loss to the Rockets, the Spurs shot 44.6% from the field, with a solid 38.9% from beyond the arc, hitting 14 threes. Victor Wembanyama led the team with 15 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 42.9%.

Julian Champagnie added 13 points, hitting 3 threes at 50% efficiency, with 8 of his points coming in the 3rd quarter. Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed 10 points, shooting 80% and making 2 threes at 66.7%.

Defensively, the Spurs struggled against the Rockets, giving up 127 points while allowing Houston to shoot 56% from the field. San Antonio allowed 31 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, and 32 in the 2nd, with their worst defensive effort coming in the 4th, where they gave up 33 points.

From beyond the arc, the Spurs held the Rockets to 10 made threes on 37% shooting. San Antonio sent Houston to the line 15 times, where they made 9 free throws. The Spurs recorded 33 defensive rebounds, but allowed 11 offensive boards, while also tallying 6 steals and 6 blocks.

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +4.5, the Trail Blazers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 217.5, and our model predicts the Trail Blazers and Spurs to score a combined 271 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Spurs Focus on Fundamentals at Home Against Trail Blazers

The San Antonio Spurs return home on Thursday night, hoping to improve on the basics and rally their depleted roster as they face off against the Portland Trail Blazers. Both teams have encountered ups and downs early this season, but the Spurs are looking for the familiarity of home and a disciplined approach to help them bounce back from recent setbacks.

Trail Blazers Riding High Off New Orleans Win

Portland arrives in San Antonio on the heels of an impressive 118-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Blazers erased a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter, outscoring New Orleans 39-18 in the final period. Anfernee Simons led the team with 24 points, while Dalano Banton provided a major spark off the bench, scoring all 20 of his points in that decisive fourth quarter.

“I felt like we needed a little shot in the arm, offensively, when I went with Banton at the start of the fourth quarter,” Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups explained. “And, obviously, 20 points in one quarter is more than a shot in the arm.”

Banton’s recent performance has been consistent in the clutch; he scored 12 points in the final quarter during Portland’s loss to Phoenix on Saturday. His contributions illustrate the team’s adaptable approach, where players are called upon to step up as needed.

“Everything looks different every night with the talent that we have,” Banton said. “You never know when [Coach Billups] is going to put you in there. It’s not just for me — it’s for anyone.”

Portland received strong efforts across the board, with DeAndre Ayton contributing a double-double (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Jerami Grant and Toumani Camara each adding 16 points. The win broke a two-game skid for the Blazers, who continue their road journey with this matchup against the Spurs before visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Spurs Look to Rebound After Back-to-Back Losses

The Spurs are coming off a tough 127-100 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. San Antonio struggled from the start, trailing by 25 points at halftime and failing to mount a comeback. Rookie star Victor Wembanyama led the team with 15 points, while Julian Champagnie and Chris Paul each contributed double figures. However, San Antonio’s 19 turnovers and lack of physicality ultimately hurt them.

“We were not as physical as we needed to be and not as good with our details and fundamentals,” Spurs interim coach Wyatt Johnson remarked. “I think those things, at times, have led to some of our turnover problems.”

The Spurs are facing several challenges, including the absence of head coach Gregg Popovich, who has been sidelined due to a serious health issue with no set return date. Additionally, guard Jeremy Sochan will be out indefinitely following surgery on a broken left thumb, and guards Devin Vassell and Tre Jones are also sidelined with injuries. These roster challenges mean that the Spurs will need to rely on emerging players and a disciplined approach to turn things around.

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Key Factors for Thursday’s Matchup

The game on Thursday will be the first in a five-game homestand for San Antonio, who will be eager to capitalize on the support from their home crowd at Frost Bank Center. Here are a few factors to watch:

• Portland’s Late-Game Spark: The Blazers have shown resilience in the final quarter, with players like Dalano Banton making clutch plays. San Antonio will need to keep their intensity up throughout to prevent another fourth-quarter surge.
• Spurs’ Focus on Fundamentals: Under interim coach Wyatt Johnson, the Spurs are emphasizing basic skills and reducing turnovers. Given the missing pieces in their lineup, the Spurs will need to keep a tight grip on fundamentals to compete.
• Victor Wembanyama’s Impact: As a rookie, Wembanyama has been the most consistent scorer for the Spurs, and he’ll be central to their game plan. His ability to perform on both ends of the floor will be crucial as the Spurs look to set the tone early.

This matchup marks the beginning of a critical stretch for San Antonio, as they play nine of their next 11 games at home. Both teams have reasons to push hard for a victory, with the Blazers hoping to build off their recent win and the Spurs aiming to find consistency amid their current challenges.