After getting humbled in their respective last contests, the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs will both be looking to bounce back and pick up a big victory when they square off on Thursday night, live from the Moda Center in Portland.
With both of these playoff hopefuls looking to get as high a seed as possible in the Western Conference playoffs, let’s find out which one is offering the best value in the NBA spread.
How to Bet Spurs vs Trail Blazers NBA Spread & Game Preview
Game 3️⃣ of the RRT#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/2mAMv4JET4
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) 7 de febrero de 2019
- When: Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 10:30 PM ET
- Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
- TV: TNT
- Radio: San Antonio / Portland
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Portland -5 / Total: 227.5
Why Bet on the San Antonio Spurs?
Why should you consider betting on the San Antonio Spurs in this contest? Well, there’s the fact that San Antonio will have its two best players back on the floor in this one after resting All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan on Wednesday night.
Then, there’s the fact that the Spurs should be highly motivated after getting smacked around in their 141-102 loss to Golden State on Wednesday night. San Antonio lost by 30 points or more for the fourth time this season, leaving head coach Gregg Popovich in a foul mood afterward.
“Our transition defense has not been good and it has really has been a problem for us,” Popovich told reporters after the loss. “It is frustrating because it is basically an effort thing. I’m really disappointed in our overall transition ‘D’ for probably the last seven or eight games.”
The Spurs gave up 49 points in the third quarter while allowing 140 or more points for the fourth time this season. LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging a team-high 21.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while DeRozan averages a solid 21.3 points and 6.2 boards per contest.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 112.45
- Field Goals: 47.93
- Three Points: 40.46
- Free Throws: 82.36
- Rebounds: 44.23
- Average Score Against: 110.91
- Field Goals: 46.77
- Three Points: 36.08
- Free Throws: 75.41
- Rebounds: 43.75
Why Bet on the Portland Trail Blazers?
Why should you consider betting on the Portland Trail Blazers in this contest? There are a handful of great reasons, starting with the fact that Portland has gone a fantastic 22-8 at home this season while San Antonio9 has struggled mightily on the road in going just 10-17 so far this season. Then, there’s the fact that the Blazers have the statistical edge at both ends of the floor in this rivalry. Portland will also be highly motivated after having their eight-game home winning streak snapped in their humbling 118-108 loss against Miami on Tuesday night.
Last but not least, these days, it looks like Portland simply has the better roster of players, starting with its elite backcourt of all-star point guard Damian Lillard (26.2 points, 6.3 assists per game) and veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum (21.2 points, 3.9 rebounds per game).
The Blazers also acquired veteran swingman Rodney Hood from the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week. Hood, who is averaging 12.2 points per game this season said he’s excited about playing for a competitive team once again.
“I just want to be a part of winning, just throw myself into it,” Hood told reporters. “I’m not worried about coming in and trying to score ‘X’ amount of points or getting some notoriety. It’s just about being competitive and being whatever the coaches need for me to do. And try to do it to the best of my abilities.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 113.02
- Field Goals: 46.27
- Three Points: 36.25
- Free Throws: 81.85
- Rebounds: 47.89
- Average Score Against: 113.02
- Field Goals: 46.27
- Three Points: 36.25
- Free Throws: 81.85
- Rebounds: 47.89
Spurs vs Trail Blazers NBA Betting Trends
- San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in the last 5 games
- San Antonio is 5-2 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went OVER in 7 of San Antonio’s last 8 games
- Portland is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games
- Portland is 6-2 SU in the last 8 games
- The total went OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Spurs vs Trail Blazers
If you didn’t know before, these two Western Conference rivals have alternated SU wins in each of the the last six meetings, with the home team winning each of the last four. With the Spurs picking up an emphatic 131-118 win over Portland back on Dec. 2 and Portland now being back at home, I’m thinking the Blazers manage to deliver a message to the Spurs should they meet in the postseason.
The Spurs are an uninspiring 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games and a discouraging 7-15-1 ATS in the last 23 road dates against Portland. On the flip side of the coin, the Blazers have gone a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss and 9-3 ATS in their last dozen games overall.
While I’m thinking the 5-point spread in this contest looks a bit daunting, with each of the last three meetings between these two being decided by at least 11 points, I like the Blazers to narrowly cover the chalk.
NBA Betting Pick: Portland 117 San Antonio 110
