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Match Facts
Portland continues its five-game road stretch and seeks its first win away from home after a 115–112 heartbreak in Orlando. The Blazers have now lost two straight despite improved offensive output and resilience under interim coach Tiago Splitter. New Orleans returns home after a 121–98 defeat in Phoenix, marking its third straight loss. The Pelicans enter short-handed but aim to reset defensively. Tip-off is 8:00 PM at Smoothie King Center, broadcast on KUNP. For market context and research, compare expert opinions on the NBA picks hub, review rosters on the NBA teams index, check the live NBA odds board, and study structure in the NBA betting guide.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Date and Time | Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 8:00 PM |
| Broadcast | KUNP |
| Recent form | Portland 0–2 on trip, New Orleans L3 |
| Head-to-head | Portland 3–0 vs New Orleans last season |
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Blazers | 5–5 | 9th West | L2 |
| Pelicans | 2–8 | 14th West | L3 |
Line and Odds
The market prices Portland -8.0 (-111), New Orleans +8.0 (-112), with totals near 232.5 and moneylines at Trail Blazers -333 and Pelicans +267. The spread reflects Portland’s offensive ceiling against an undermanned Pelicans lineup still missing Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, and Yves Missi. Sharp money often gravitates toward home underdogs in travel-fatigue spots, yet current rotations favor Portland’s perimeter control and efficiency from the line. Totals depend on whether the Pelicans can sustain tempo; if they slow pace to half-court sets, under interest can emerge late. For updated shifts, track the NBA odds board through warmups.
Movement Matchup
Portland thrives in pace and shot volume, ranking top-five in attempts from deep and maintaining an 82% free-throw clip. Their defensive shell limits opponent threes, allowing the fewest long-range makes and attempts per game. Expect Sharpe, Holiday, and Avdija to push early transition and drive-and-kick rhythm. New Orleans’ challenge is to guard the arc while protecting the lane without Zion’s rebounding. Willie Green’s focus is regaining defensive discipline after Phoenix’s 73–41 first-half outburst. The Pelicans must contain first actions and rebound efficiently to avoid another early deficit. If they can trade half-court sets and limit turnovers, they can slow the pace and shorten possessions.
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Trail Blazers
| Player | Status | Injury | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anfernee Simons (G) | Out | Thumb | Removes top shot-creator; increases Sharpe’s usage |
| Deandre Ayton (C) | Questionable | Knee | Alters interior scoring and rebounding edge |
| Malcolm Brogdon (G) | Probable | Conditioning | Veteran stabilizer for bench minutes |
| Jerami Grant (F) | Probable | Rest | Defensive switch option and midrange scorer |
| Matisse Thybulle (F) | Out | Ankle | Perimeter defense absent; opens rotation minutes |
Pelicans
| Player | Status | Injury | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson (F) | Out | Hamstring | Primary rim threat and paint scorer unavailable |
| Jordan Poole (G) | Out | Quad | Secondary creation and spacing loss |
| Yves Missi (C) | Out | Illness | Paint protection limited; rebounding margin risk |
| Jose Alvarado (G) | Questionable | Ankle | Defensive energy piece; could see minutes swing |
| Dyson Daniels (G) | Probable | Shoulder | Likely to start; facilitates pace and spacing |
Trail Blazers Recent Performance
Portland nearly overcame a double-digit deficit in Orlando before a turnover and buzzer-beater spoiled the rally. Shaedon Sharpe’s 31 points marked his most efficient night of the season, and Splitter’s system is unlocking balance through motion and pace. Portland averages 120.6 points per game and ranks top-10 in scoring efficiency. Their ball movement has improved, and they convert at the line consistently. If Holiday limits turnovers and Ayton returns, they can dominate interior and second-chance metrics.
Pelicans Recent Performance
New Orleans’ defensive lapses continue to define outcomes. The Pelicans were down 32 at one point in Phoenix and have allowed 120+ points in three of their last four. Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey have supplied offense, but without Zion and Poole, creation falls on CJ McCollum and Murphy’s isolation looks. Green’s group ranks near the bottom in opponent field-goal percentage, making defensive rebounding critical to staying competitive.
Betting Insights and Trends
Portland has covered in 6 of its last 9 as a favorite, and the over has hit in four of its last five games thanks to improved efficiency from deep. New Orleans is 1–4 ATS at home and has lost five straight overall versus Western teams allowing 115+ points. The total reflects volatility: both sides can generate quick scoring bursts but also lengthy dry spells. For broader insight into division and playoff futures, explore NBA Western Conference odds and ongoing market context in the NBA betting guide.
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Best Pick
Trail Blazers -8.
Portland’s offensive pace, three-point prevention, and improved closing execution outweigh New Orleans’ defensive regression and injury depth. Sharpe and Holiday should control the perimeter matchup, while Grant anchors interior switches. The Pelicans’ limited shot creation and absent size make late-game stops unlikely.
Projection
Trail Blazers 125, Pelicans 112.
Portland’s balanced scoring and transition edge drive separation in the third quarter. New Orleans fights through Murphy and Bey scoring bursts, but turnover differential and free-throw margin decide the cover.
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Handicapper Section
For position sizing, monitor Ayton’s final status on the NBA odds board. If active, increase stake confidence; if ruled out, hedge through team total over rather than full spread. Derivative options like first-half Portland -4.5 offer reduced volatility and tighter correlation with shooting variance. Reinforce picks with matchup analytics from the NBA picks hub and structured guidance within the NBA betting guide.
