New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2 Spread and Prediction

In the only Western Conference quarterfinal that the home court advantage has been broken so far, we have Game 2 between the 3^rd Portland Trail Blazers (49-33), who are looking to even the series and not drop a second straight game at home, and the 6^th New Orleans Pelicans (48-34), who came up with a huge Game 1 victory.  New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2 Spread and Prediction.

Date/Time: 04-17-2018, 22:30 EDT

Spread: Portland Trail Blazers -6.5

Total: +214

Blazers finished the regular season with a 49-33 record (45-32-5 against the spread). They were placed third in the West and they have lost five of their last six games. Pelicans finished the regular season with a 47-34 record (45-36-1 against the spread). They were tied with two more teams in the fourth place of the West but ended up sixth by losing all tie-breakers and they have six consecutive wins.

In the first game on Saturday, the Pelicans utilized stellar performances from most of their starters and had Blazers on the ropes for three quarters before getting a narrow road win with a 95-97 score, getting both the 1-0 lead and the home court advantage in the series. The Pelicans held the Blazers’ dynamic backcourt of Lillard and McCollum into just 1-15 shooting in the first half, which propelled a 9-point lead. The lead rose up to 19 points in the third quarter before Blazers initiated their counter attack in the final quarter but could never take the lead. For the Pelicans, Davis had game highs both in points with 35 and in rebounds with 14. Holiday added 21 and 7 rebounds, Mirotic double doubled as well with 16 points and 11 boards, while Rondo dished a game high 17 assists. For the Blazers, McCollum had 19 points and Lillard 18, adding 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Blazers are 28-14 at home so far this season, while Pelicans are 25-17 on the road. New Orleans have the third-best offense in the league with 111.7 ppg to Portland’s 105.6, while Portland have a better defense, allowing 103 ppg to New Orleans’ second-worse of 110.4. New Orleans have a better field goal accuracy with 48.34% to Portland’s 45.18%, while Portland have a better 3-point accuracy with 36.61% to Pelicans’ 36.2%. Portland grab more rebounds, with 45.5 to New Orleans’ 44.3, while Pelicans make a third-best 26.8 assists per game to Portland’s league-low of 19.5. Blazers’ backcourt will not be as bad in Game 2 and they will be looking desperately for a win in order to even the series. Vegas odds give them a -6.5 spread and expect them to beat the odds tonight.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 1 Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers -6.5 (-107)

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