Philadelphia 76ers vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/30/24

At 10:00 ET, the 76ers will travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers. Philadelphia (-216) is currently favored by 5.5 points over Portland (+181). The over/under line for the game is set at 222.5 points.

The 76ers (12-17) come into tonight’s non-conference matchup having won three straight games. They are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference and 3rd in the Atlantic Division. As for the Trail Blazers (11-20), they have won two straight and are 13th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Northwest Division.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Portland Trail Blazers +5.5

This game will be played at Moda Center at 10:00 ET on Monday, December 30th.

WHY BET THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 160-138 in favor of the Trail Blazers.
  • Our projections have Anfernee Simons finishing with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Trail Blazers finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.2% and knocking down 16 threes.

Can the 76ers Offense Score Enough in Portland?

Philadelphia improved to 12-17 on the season with a 114-111 road win over the Jazz on Saturday. The 76ers were favored by 7.5 points but didn’t cover the spread, while the game’s total of 225 points narrowly exceeded the 224.5-point line.

Utah jumped out to a 14-3 lead with a 12-0 run early, but the 76ers responded by outscoring the Jazz 35-18 in the 2nd quarter. After an even 3rd quarter (29-24 in favor of Utah), the teams entered the 4th tied at 81, with Philadelphia edging out the Jazz 33-30 in the final period.

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 32 points in the 76ers’ 114-111 win over the Jazz, with Maxey hitting 5 threes at 38.5%. Embiid shot 47.6% from the field, while Maxey finished at 39.1%.

Philadelphia made 13 threes at a 36.1% clip, shooting 43.4% overall. Maxey scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Embiid added 9, and Guerschon Yabusele chipped in 5 of his 12 points in the final period.

The 76ers’ defense tightened up in the 2nd quarter, allowing just 18 points, which helped them secure a 114-111 win over the Jazz. Philadelphia gave up 34 points in the 1st quarter and 30 in the 4th but managed to hold Utah to 111 points overall.

Defensively, the 76ers held the Jazz to 33% shooting from beyond the arc, with Utah making 12 three-pointers. Philadelphia also sent the Jazz to the line 15 times, where they made 13 free throws. The 76ers recorded 15 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

Will the Trail Blazers Pull Through as the Home Underdog?

The Trail Blazers improved to 11-20 on the season with a 126-122 win over the Mavericks on Saturday. Portland, who entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread at home. The total points for the game exceeded the O/U line of 223.5 by 24.5 points.

Portland jumped out to an early lead, taking a 36-25 advantage after the 1st quarter. They maintained control through the 2nd and 3rd quarters, leading 97-82 going into the 4th. Despite being outscored 40-29 in the final period, the Blazers held on for the win.

Shaedon Sharpe led the Trail Blazers with 23 points in their win over the Mavericks, while Anfernee Simons added 22 and Deni Avdija and Deandre Ayton each contributed 21. Portland shot 50% from the field and made 11 threes, hitting 42.3% from deep.

Sharpe scored 11 points in the 1st quarter, while Ayton added 10. Simons and Ayton both scored 7 points in the 4th quarter, with Scoot Henderson also adding 7 of his 19 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Trail Blazers had strong performances in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 25 and 23 points, respectively, but struggled in the 4th, allowing 40 points. Overall, they gave up 122 points on 48% shooting from the Mavericks.

Portland allowed 15 threes on 39% shooting from deep. They sent Dallas to the line 26 times, where the Mavericks made 21 free throws. The Trail Blazers finished with 36 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and recorded 8 steals and 7 blocks.