<p>The Portland Trail Blazers (12-23) travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans (7-30) in a Western Conference matchup. The Pelicans (-143) are favored by 2.5 points over the Blazers (+121) and the over/under line is set at 226.5.</p>

<p>This game will be played at the Smoothie King Center and is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 ET. KATU will carry the TV coverage.</p><h3>PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans -2.5</p><p>This game will be played at Smoothie King Center at 8:00 ET on Wednesday, January 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 146-136 in favor of the Pelicans.</li><li>Our projections have Zion Williamson finishing with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.8% and knocking down 16 threes.</li></ul><h3>Can Portland Grab a Win on the Road?</h3><p>Portland’s season record dropped to 12-23 after a 118-115 loss to the Pistons on Monday. The Blazers, who were +6.5 point underdogs, kept it close and covered the spread. The total points of 233.5 went over the 224.5 O/U line.</p> <p>Portland started strong, using a 10-0 run to take control early. They led 60-51 at halftime but couldn’t hold on, as the Pistons outscored them 67-55 in the second half, including a 30-25 edge in the final quarter.</p><p>In their 118-115 loss to the Pistons, the Trail Blazers shot 53.3% from the field and knocked down 16 threes at a 45.7% clip. Anfernee Simons led the way with 36 points, hitting 8 threes at 66.7% efficiency, and added 9 assists.</p> <p>Simons scored 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 20 points and 8 rebounds. Deandre Ayton finished with 18 points and 11 boards.</p><p>Defensively, the Trail Blazers started strong, giving up just 23 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 37 points, which contributed to their 118-115 loss to the Pistons. Overall, Portland allowed Detroit to shoot 44% from the field.</p> <p>Portland also had trouble defending the three, as the Pistons hit 15 threes at a 34% clip. The Trail Blazers sent Detroit to the line 22 times, where they made 19 free throws. Portland finished with 6 steals and 4 blocks.</p><h3>Can the Pelicans Pull Off a Home Win?</h3><p>The Pelicans fell to 7-30 on the season after a 104-97 home loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday. New Orleans, who entered the game as +4 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 201 points was well below the pre-game line of 221.5.</p> <p>New Orleans went on a 10-0 run to take the lead from 45-43 to 53-45, but they couldn’t maintain the momentum. After being outscored 29-21 in the 3rd quarter, they entered the 4th down 83-75 and couldn’t close the gap, despite winning the final quarter 22-21.</p><p>The Pelicans struggled offensively in their loss to the Timberwolves, shooting just 37.2% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range. They made 12 threes in the game, with Dejounte Murray leading the way, scoring 29 points and dishing out 6 assists while shooting 60% from the field.</p> <p>Zion Williamson also shot 60%, finishing with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Jose Alvarado added 13 points, with 8 of those coming in the 4th quarter.</p><p>Despite giving up 34 points in the 1st quarter, the Pelicans tightened up defensively, allowing just 20 points in the 2nd and 21 in the 4th. They held the Timberwolves to 104 points on 42% shooting.</p> <p>New Orleans sent Minnesota to the line 19 times, where they made 13 free throws. The Pelicans also recorded 12 steals and 5 blocks in the game.</p>

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