New Orleans Pelicans @ Portland Trail Blazers u211.0 (-105)
Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
December 14,2015, 7:00PM PST
We are looking for a final score of 101-106, Portland, when the Blazers host the Pelicans this evening. As such, we are backing the UNDER.
Our estimates imply that New Orleans, in particular, is most likely to disappoint in the scoring column relative to as Las Vegas lines (which suggest 104-107). Our expectation for below par output from the Pelicans tonight has broader context: the OVER has only cashed in nine times of the Pelicans 23 games so far this season.
Portland games have shown a greater tendency to surpise to the upside from a scoring perspective, as the OVER is 14-11 where the Blazers are concerned so far this season. However, we note that these teams, together, have a strong predilection toward the UNDER in recent years. The UNDER has prevailed in each of the last five head-to-head contests between the Pels and the Blazers, four of which took place in Portland.
Moreover, fatigue might come into play late, as the Pelicans will likely be shorthanded again tonight. Jrue Holiday will probably be sidelined for this evening's action, and Ryan Anderson has not been announced as being in the lineup (though preliminary indications suggest Anderson will go). Also, Quincy Pondexter is still out.
Happy betting!!