Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Pelicans - January 8, 2025

As the Portland Trail Blazers prepare to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center, both teams are in search of a much-needed victory. The Pelicans enter this matchup as -2.5-point favorites, despite their struggles this season. With a total set at 227.5, let’s delve into some numbers to uncover what we might expect from this game.

The Pelicans have had a rough go of it lately, with a record of 7-30 overall and just 3-21 in their last 24 games. Their offensive output has averaged around 107.5 points per game on a shooting percentage of approximately 44.3%. While they have been able to find some success at the free-throw line (around 77%), their three-point shooting is lackluster at best, sitting at just over 33%. They average nearly 25 assists per game, suggesting that when they do score, it’s often through team play rather than isolation.

On the defensive end, New Orleans has struggled as well; they allow opponents to grab about 42.6 rebounds per game and commit an average of nearly 18 fouls. However, they also manage to generate close to nine steals per contest which indicates that there’s potential for disruptive defense if executed correctly.

Conversely, the Trail Blazers come into this matchup with a slightly better record of 12-23 and an ability to score marginally more points—107.9 per game—with a field goal percentage that edges out New Orleans at approximately 44.9%. Like their opponents, Portland’s three-point shooting hovers around similar territory (33.6%), but they do exhibit a slightly lower assist rate with about 22.9 assists each night.

Defensively, Portland captures more rebounds than New Orleans (43.4) but loses more turnovers (16.6), which can be detrimental against any opponent looking to capitalize on fast-break opportunities.

Recent trends suggest that both teams are struggling significantly; Portland is just 1-9 in its last ten road games while New Orleans holds an even worse home record of just one win in eight attempts recently on their own floor.

Given these factors and recent performances—especially after the Pelicans’ last outing where they lost by seven points against Minnesota—the expectation here leans toward a narrow victory for New Orleans tonight while also covering the spread due primarily to home-court advantage and Portland’s ongoing road woes.

However, considering both offenses have not been particularly explosive lately—combined with how many times these teams have hit unders recently—I anticipate that this game will likely finish under the total set at 227.5 points.

In summary: I predict the Pelicans will edge out the Trail Blazers tonight while covering the spread; however, don’t expect fireworks on offense as I foresee this matchup finishing under the total points threshold based on current form and statistical trends.