NBA 2025-2026: New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
New Orleans Pelicans
Home Team
51.1%
118.5 pts
VS
Portland Trail Blazers
Away Team
48.9%
118.9 pts
Key Prediction Insights
The New Orleans Pelicans are predicted to edge out the Portland Trail Blazers with a victory, having a slight probability of 51.1%. The expected scoreline is a close 118.9 for the Pelicans to the Blazers' 118.5. The Pelicans' starting five is anticipated to include Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Yves Missi. For the Trail Blazers, the lineup features Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Sidy Cissoko, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.
Game Analysis
Looking at recent performances, the New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a challenging stretch with three consecutive losses against the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns. Despite these setbacks, they have been competitive, consistently scoring over 114 points in each matchup. The Pelicans' offense, led by Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III with average points made of 22.7 and 20.5 respectively, shows strong potential but is hampered by a defense that allows significant scoring from opponents.
On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers have shown mixed results, winning two of their last three games. They recently secured victories against the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics but suffered a heavy loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Deni Avdija stands out as a key offensive contributor, averaging 25.3 points per game. However, the Blazers' defensive ratings suggest vulnerabilities that the Pelicans could exploit.
Final Prediction
The New Orleans Pelicans are favored due to their potent offensive capabilities, particularly with Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, which may give them a slight edge over the Trail Blazers. A key factor to watch will be how effectively the Pelicans can leverage their scoring against the Trail Blazers' defense, potentially deciding the outcome in this closely matched contest.