Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/2

The Portland Trail Blazers visit the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The game is set for Friday, January 2, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on KUNP.

The Trail Blazers hold a 14-20 record, ranking 10th in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have struggled this season with an 8-27 record, sitting at the bottom of the conference. Both teams aim to improve their standings in the league.

Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Game Day Info

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
  • Venue: Smoothie King Center
  • Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Trail Blazers Spread -1.0 (-110), Pelicans Spread +1.0 (-112), Trail Blazers MoneyLine -114, Pelicans MoneyLine -104, Over/Under 243.5

Portland Trail Blazers Team Preview

The Portland Trail Blazers have had a mix of outcomes in their recent games. They secured wins against the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics but struggled in their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing by 29 points. In the game against the Thunder, Deni Avdija led the team with 17 points, while Shaedon Sharpe added 14 points.

On the season, the Trail Blazers score an average of 116.2 points per game. They are among the top teams in possessions per game, ranking 5th. However, their field goal percentage is lower, sitting at 44.6%, which is 29th in the league.

The Trail Blazers are currently dealing with several injuries. Key players like Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard are out, impacting the team’s performance. Despite the setbacks, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have been stepping up, leading the team in scoring and assists.

New Orleans Pelicans Team Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a tough run in their recent games. They lost to the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns. In these games, Zion Williamson has been a key player, scoring over 30 points in two of them.

The Pelicans have strong offensive stats, with high field goal attempts per game. However, their shooting accuracy needs improvement. They rank low in effective field goal percentage and three-point percentage.

Injuries are affecting the Pelicans’ lineup. Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones are out, and Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen are questionable. This might impact their performance in upcoming games.

BTB Betting Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers are favored by 1 point against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Trail Blazers score 116.2 points per game, while the Pelicans allow 123.1 points per game. With Portland’s strong free throw performance and New Orleans’ defensive struggles, picking the Trail Blazers to cover the spread at -1.0 (-110) seems reasonable. The projected score is Trail Blazers 121, Pelicans 119.

The total for the game is set at 243.5 points. Both teams score over 115 points per game, and they both allow over 120 points per game. Given these high-scoring stats, betting on the over at 243.5 (-113) could be a good choice. The projected total is 240 points, which is close to the line, but the teams’ tendencies suggest a higher scoring game.