The Road to the 2024 Playoffs
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers are set to face off in an exciting NBA matchup on April 9, 2024. The Pelicans, currently holding a 46-32 record and sitting in the seventh seed, are fighting for seeding as they continue their quest for a strong position in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers, with a record of 21-57, have been eliminated from playoff contention but still have a chance to play spoiler in this late-season matchup.
Betting Odds
The game is scheduled to take place in Portland, Oregon, with a start time of 10 p.m. EDT. The Pelicans are entering this game as clear favorites, with the oddsmakers setting the line at Pelicans -10. This suggests that the Pelicans are expected to win by a margin of at least 10 points. The over/under for the game is set at 210.5 points, indicating the expected total combined score of both teams.
The Pelicans are coming off an emotional win against the Phoenix Suns, which was crucial for their playoff positioning. They cannot afford to let their guard down against the struggling Trail Blazers, especially considering that they essentially need to win out to secure a favorable position in the postseason.
CJ McCollum, a former Blazer and now a key player for the Pelicans, is expected to have a significant impact on this game. He scored 30 points against the Trail Blazers in their last encounter, and his recent form suggests that he will be a key factor once again. McCollum ranks 12th in the NBA over the last 15 games in non-RA (relative adjusted) scoring, and the Trail Blazers have struggled to defend against players of his caliber.
The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have had a difficult season with a record that places them near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Their struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players like Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, and Robert Williams III, all of whom are out for the game against the Pelicans. This leaves the team without some of its top offensive and defensive talents.
In summary, the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to come out strong against the Portland Trail Blazers in their April 9, 2024, matchup. With playoff positioning on the line, the Pelicans will be looking to CJ McCollum to lead them to victory against a depleted Blazers team.
