New York Knicks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview
Where: Moda Center, Portland
When: Thursday, March 23, 2017, 10:00 PM ET
Line: New York Knicks (+11.5) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (-11.5); total: 213.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBATV
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Betting on the New York Knicks (27-44)
Prior to facing heavyweight contender on Saturday to end a four-game road trip, the Knicks will pay Moda Center a visit later tonight to face Portland. The Knicks have won two of the last three meetings with Portland, which include their 107-103 victory at the Big Apple over Damian Lillard and crew on Nov. 22.
Kristaps Porzingis had a blast toying with Portland’s defense in that matchup, scoring 31 points on 13-for-23 shooting with nine boards and a block. It’s been a few months since that game, but Portland still doesn’t appear to have an answer to Porzingis in terms of covering the Latvian walking mismatch.
In any case, Porzingis should get help from Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony. Both players had solid games too against Portland back in November with Rose contributing 18 points and Anthony producing 17, albeit on a very inefficient 7-for-22 shooting.
The Knicks Big Three should get plenty of opportunities on offense against Portland, which is just 26th in the league with opponents averaging 110 points per game against the Blazers.
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (32-38)
Portland didn’t have a sweet return at home after a five-game trip away from Moda Center, as the Blazers fell victim to Milwaukee on Tuesday, 93-90. A day of rest could just be what the Blazers need in order to pick up the pieces from that setback.
As for the tangibles, the Blazers are hoping Damian Lillard’s hands are still smoking. Lillard, who scored 31 points on 13-for-26 from the field against the Bucks, is playing like a man possessed of late. He is averaging 34.4 points on 53.3% shooting while going 51.2% from beyond the arc over the Blazers’ last five games. He had 22 points and six assists in the previous encounter with the Knicks.
While the Blazers don’t have a definite answer to match up with the Knicks’ Porzingis, they could at least make the 7-3 center tire on defense with Jusuf Nurkic proving to be a nice addition to the team. Nurkic has made the most of his minutes following his trade to Portland from Denver, as the Bosnian beast is averaging 14.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in Portland threads.
The Blazers’ bench has to come up with better numbers later tonight after getting outscored by Milwaukee’s relievers the other night, 32-13.
Portland is 3-1 in its last four games.
Writer’s Prediction
Portland (-11.5) wins, 118-115
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