Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to build on their statement-making win the last time out when they hit the road to take on D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets in an Inter-Conference clash that goes down live from the Big Apple on Thursday night. Now, let’s find out why this game is offering a bunch of value in my expert opinion.
Trail Blazers vs Nets NBA Spread & Betting Analysis
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🏀 #RipCity at @BrooklynNets ⌚️ 4:30pm 🏟 @barclayscenter 📺 @NBCSNorthwest 📻 @RipCityRadio620 pic.twitter.com/ylbRVsNGoT — Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) 21 de febrero de 2019
- When: Thursday February 21, 2019, 7:30 PM ET
- Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
- TV: YES, NSNW
- Radio: Portland
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Portland -2 / Total: 230
Why Bet on Portland at -2?
Why should you consider betting on the Trail Blazers in this matchup? Because the Blazers are the better statistical team at both ends of the floor and they’re coming off arguably their best performance of the season after spanking Steph Curry and the Warriors 129-107 in their last game before the all-star break on Feb. 13.
Damian Lillard scored a team-high 29 points to lead Portland to the win while a mind-boggling seven other players reached double figures in scoring. Portland snapped Golden State’s five-game winning streak in the process and overcame 32 points from both, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.
“It’s really important when you can collect yourself and come home against the best team in the league right now, and just get it done,” Lillard said. “I thought that said a lot about our team, our growth.”
Another good reason to back the Blazers is the fact that they added some quality depth by acquiring veteran center Enes Kanter just before the trade deadline. Kanter averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds in 44 games for the New York Knicks this season. Portland averages 113.3 points per game (10th) while allowing 110.3 points per contest defensively (13th).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 113.30
- Field Goals: 46.37%
- Three Points: 36.32%
- Free Throws: 81.53%
- Rebounds: 47.60
- Average Score Against: 110.30
- Field Goals: 45.65%
- Three Points: 36.71%
- Free Throws: 76
- Rebounds: 43.47
Why Bet on Brooklyn at +2?
Why should you consider betting on the Nets in this matchup? There are a few good reasons. First, Brooklyn is playing at home where they’ve gone 17-13 SU and 15-15 ATS this season. Another good reason to back the Nets is because they’ve got a ton to play for as they seek their first playoff berth since way back in 2015.
While the Nets lost five of their final seven games prior to the all-star break, Brooklyn did manage to pick up a high-scoring 148-139 road win over Cleveland on Feb. 13 as D’Angelo Russell scored a team-high 36 points and seven other players reached double digits in scoring.
“I’m glad we’re kind of ahead of those expectations right now,” Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. “But I look at the schedule and I think it’s going to be a fight to be in the playoffs. I think it’s going to be a down to the wire type of thing. That’s how much respect I have for the teams we have to play and the schedule we have coming up. It’s not a done deal by anything.”
Another good reason to back the Nets is that Portland has gone an uninspiring 10-15 SU and ATS on the road this season and they might be without Damian Lillard because of an ankle injury. The Nets are averaging 112.3 points per game (14th) while allowing 112.7 points per game defensively (21st).
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 112.31
- Field Goals: 45.10%
- Three Points: 35.82%
- Free Throws: 75.18%
- Rebounds: 46.10
- Average Score Against: 112.73
- Field Goals: 46.49%
- Three Points: 34.74%
- Free Throws: 76.96%
- Rebounds: 45.08
Trail Blazers vs Nets NBA Betting Trends
- Portland is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 games
- Portland is 8-4 SU in the last 12 games
- The total went OVER in 7 of Portland’s last 9 games
- Brooklyn is 10-5 ATS in the last 15 games
- Brooklyn is 2-5 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went OVER in 4 of Brooklyn’s last 5 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Trail Blazers vs Nets
I know the Blazers are coming off a fantastic win the last time out, but so is Brooklyn. Having said that, I’m going to urge you to back the Nets to get the big home win in this contest, simply because Portland has struggled mightily on the road and Dame Lillard might not be at 100 percent – if he even suits up for this contest.
Portland is just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record while Brooklyn has gone a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six games against teams from the Western Conference and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a winning record.
In addition to backing the Nets, I believe the Over 230 total points is an even better pick for this contest. The Over is 10-1-1 in Portland’s last 12 games against teams from the Eastern Conference and 4-0 in Brooklyn’s last four games overall. The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams and 4-1 when they meet in the Big Apple.
NBA Betting Pick: Brooklyn 121 Portland 115
