Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA
When: Wednesday, January 4, 2017 – 10:30 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers (+16.5) at Golden State Warriors (-16.5); total: TBA – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (+16.5)
It hasn’t been a great season so far for Rip City. They are only 15-21 (ninth in the West), which was far from last year’s rather overachieving performance, where they unexpectedly reached the postseason and gave the Warriors a competitive series.
On top of that, Damian Lillard (27.5 PPG, 6.5 APG) is nursing a left ankle sprain, and will likely miss his fifth straight game this Wednesday.
With the injury, CJ McCollum is getting added opportunities on offense, averaging 30.3 points on 51.8-percent shooting, along with 4.5 assists, during the span. In the Blazers’ most recent game (95-89 win over the Wolves), the 2016 Most Improved Player recorded a career-best 43 points, making 16 of 25 attempts. He should be able to continue doing what he’s doing now with Lillard out.
Offense-wise, the team is doing well – fourth in points (107. PPG), sixth in threes (10.3 per game), and 10th in overall offense. However, just like most offense-minded teams, the defense is awful. It even got worse from last year’s already-mediocre production, as they are now 28th in points allowed (110.9 PPG) and dead-last in defensive efficiency.
The Blazers are 1-8 in their last nine road games (2-7 ATS), and are also 0-2 against the Warriors this season, both of which were ugly blowouts.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (-16.5)
Well, the super team is still a super team, and not much is going to change as the season moves along. The Warriors are now 30-5, owners of the best record in the league.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant, who are all currently averaging 22 or more points, are tied with the Cavaliers’ own big three as the best scoring trio in the league, combining for a whopping 71.2 PPG. Adding to that is the all-around play of emotional leader Draymond Green, who’s putting up 10.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per contest.
Like the Blazers, offense has long been the forte of the Warriors, they’re just a dozen times better. Their league-leading 117.3 PPG is the highest in over two decades, while their 31.2 APG, which also leads the league, is the highest in 32 years. It’s almost like they’re mocking everyone’s defenses.
What makes the team even scarier is their defense. With all of the explosive offense they are showcasing, they are also leading the league in steals (9.3) and blocks per game (6.1), and hold their opponents to some awful shooting (43 percent, second-lowest in the league).
The Warriors have won eight straight games at home (5-3 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
With Lillard out, the Warriors win and should be able to cover the large spread.
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