Trail Blazers Host Pelicans in ESPN Play-In Position Battle Wednesday

At the onset of the week, Zion Williamson is out of the New Orleans lineup.  Due to a hamstring issue, Williamson won’t return until early March.  Injury problems with Williamson are a perpetual NBA betting challenge for the Pelicans to overcome.  Williamson was touted as the man that would save the New Orleans franchise.  Instead, he may become the biggest draft bust in NBA history.  The Pelicans hold the final play-in position in the Western Conference.  The Portland Trail Blazers are only a half-game behind the Pels for that spot.

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers CashBet Wagering Analysis

In this situation, casual gamblers hesitate to take the Pelicans without Zion Williamson.  New Orleans remains one of the worst top online sportsbook values in the Association this season.  And that could get worse without Williamson.  On the other hand, the Pelicans will be getting extra sugar from oddsmakers.  And that could make New Orleans a better value without Zion than with him.  Consider that the casual sector stampedes the betting window when Williamson is in the Pelican lineup.

Portland is barely in the black this season.  However, the Trail Blazers are in a terrible stretch against the odds.  Gamblers have been burned badly taking the Blazers in recent weeks.  However, what goes up must go down, and Portland should pick up its profit margin sooner rather than later.

Shorthanded Pelicans Limp into Portland Without Zion

The New Orleans Pelicans covered one out of their last five games.  Additionally, the Pelicans have gone under the total in three of its previous four matchups.  As a result, the Pelicans are 30-31 straight up, 28-33 against the spread, and 33-28 over/under the total  New Orleans is 10^th in the Western Conference playoff standings.  In the Western Conference playoff race, New Orleans is 12.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets.

Overall, New Orleans ranks 15^th for scoring offense, 12^th for field goal percentage, 20^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 17^th for free throw percentage, and 10^th for offensive rebounding.  At the same time, the Pels rank 17^th for scoring defense, 17^th for field goal percentage permitted 1^st for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 8^th for defensive rebounding.

Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.  At the same time, Brandon Ingram adds 22.8 points per game.  CJ McCollum brings 21.0 points per contest.  New Orleans has the Betting on NBA challenge of making up for Williamson’s lost production.  But that problem is nothing new for the Pels.

Trail Blazers Drown Gamblers in Red Ink

The Portland Trail Blazers covered two out of their last eight games.  Additionally, the Trail Blazers have gone over the pro basketball betting total in five of its previous six matchups.  As a result, the Trail Blazers are 29-31 straight up, 30-29-1 against the spread, and 29-30 over/under the total  Portland is 11^th in the Western Conference playoff standings.  In the Western Conference playoff race, Portland is 13 games behind the Denver Nuggets.

Overall, Portland ranks 11^th for scoring offense, 8^th for field goal percentage, 7^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 6^th for free throw percentage, and 27^th for offensive rebounding.  At the same time, Portland ranks 18^th for scoring defense, 26^th for field goal percentage permitted, 23^rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 3^rd for defensive rebounding.

Damian Lillard leads the Blazers with 32.3 points and 7.2 assists per game.  Also, Anfernee Simons adds 21.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.  And then Jerami Grant brings 20.6 points per game.

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers CashBet Free Pick  

In this situation, the Pelicans will offer more NBA gambling value.  New Orleans is a contrarian play on the house’s side.

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers CashBet Best Bet: 

New Orleans Pelicans