The Portland Trail Blazers (14-20) and New Orleans Pelicans (8-27) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, La. The game will be broadcast live on KUNP.
The Blazers are 2.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Trail Blazers -2.5), with the over/under set at 243.5 total points. Portland is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while New Orleans is +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks for Friday, January 2.
My Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Prediction
- Trail Blazers vs Pelicans pick: Zion Williamson Under 4.5 Assists (-145)
My Pelicans vs Trail Blazers best bet is on Zion Williamson under 4.5 assists, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Odds
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 243.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 243.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans NBA Preview
Action PRO projects Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson for 3.18 assists tonight, a nice 19.2% edge against the market when compared to his 4.5 line.
Williamson is averaging only 3.4 assists this season, and in his last 10 contests, that number drops to 2.7 assists per game.
He has gone under this 4.5 line in seven of his past nine games, and in 11 of his last 15.
While Williamson has increased his scoring output recently, going for 30 or more points in his previous two games, look for him to fall under his assists line tonight against the Blazers.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Best Bet
- Zion Williamson Under 4.5 Assists (-145, bet365)
