New York Knicks @ Portland Trail Blazers - March 12, 2025

As the Portland Trail Blazers prepare to face off against the New York Knicks at Moda Center, they find themselves in a precarious position. The Blazers are currently on a four-game losing streak and will be looking to turn things around against a formidable opponent. Oddsmakers have opened with the Knicks as 5-point favorites, and based on recent performances, I believe that prediction holds weight.

Looking at the offensive stats, the Knicks have been significantly more productive than the Blazers this season. New York averages 116.9 points per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 48.9%. They also excel from beyond the arc at 36.1%, which adds another layer of difficulty for any defense trying to contain them. In contrast, Portland is struggling offensively, averaging just 110.5 points per game while shooting only 45.4%. Their three-point shooting has been subpar at 34.5%, making it difficult for them to keep pace with high-scoring teams like New York.

Defensively, both teams show some weaknesses but differ in key areas that could impact tonight’s matchup. The Blazers allow their opponents to grab an average of 44 rebounds per game and commit nearly 20 fouls—a recipe for disaster against a disciplined team like the Knicks who capitalize on free throws (80% from the line). On the flip side, New York allows slightly fewer rebounds (43) and commits fewer fouls (16.9), giving them an edge in maintaining defensive integrity.

Despite their struggles lately—particularly going just 1-5 straight up in their last six games—the Blazers have shown resilience against spreads by covering in approximately two-thirds of their last eleven home games (9-2 ATS). However, given their current form and how they’ve performed defensively, it’s hard not to favor New York here.

The Knicks come into this matchup riding high after a commanding win over Sacramento where they scored an eye-popping 133 points while covering as underdogs—showing they can perform well under pressure despite being inconsistent ATS recently (2-9 in their last eleven). With both teams having gone OVER in their most recent outings, it’s interesting to note that we might see a different trend tonight; I’m leaning towards expecting this total to stay UNDER due to Portland’s inability to score efficiently combined with New York’s potential defensive adjustments.

In conclusion, I predict that the Knicks will emerge victorious over Portland tonight while also covering that spread comfortably given their overall performance metrics compared to what we’ve seen from Portland recently. Expect a lower-scoring affair than anticipated as both teams navigate through various offensive challenges—but ultimately look for New York’s depth and efficiency to carry them through this contest successfully.