Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Prediction, Odds and Best NBA Prop Bets for Thursday, April 2

A huge win on Tuesday night has propelled the Portland Trail Blazers into the conversation for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference this season.

Portland knocked off the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, and it’s just a half game back of L.A. entering tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. To make things even better for the Blazers, the Clippers have to play the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

So, a win and a Clippers loss would push Portland into the No. 8 seed.

New Orleans has picked up its play over the final weeks of the regular season, reaching the 25-win mark, but it has dropped five games in a row. So, this is a great spot for the Blazers (who are favored at home) to earn their 40th win of the season.

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Let’s examine the latest betting odds, a player prop and my prediction for Thursday’s contest.

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Odds, Spread and Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread

Pelicans +6.5 (-112)
Trail Blazers -6.5 (-108)

Moneyline

Pelicans: +205
Trail Blazers: -250

Total

232.5 (Over -112/Under -108)

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers How to Watch

Date: Thursday, April 2
Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Moda Center
How to Watch (TV): BlazerVision, FanDuel Sports Network (Local)
Pelicans record: 25-51
Trail Blazers record: 39-38

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Injury Reports

Pelicans Injury Report

Karlo Matkovic – questionable
Trey Murphy III – questionable
Bryce McGowens – out

Trail Blazers Injury Report

Jerami Grant – out
Damian Lillard – out
Shaedon Sharpe – out
Vit Krejci – out
Chris Youngblood – doubtful
Hansen Yang – doubtful
Jayson Kent – doubtful

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Best NBA Prop Bets

Blazers Best NBA Prop Bet

Donovan Clingan OVER 12.5 Rebounds (-105)

This season, former lottery pick Donovan Clingan has been a monster on the glass for Portland, averaging 11.6 rebounds per game.

He picked up 15 boards in his last meeting against the Pelicans, and since the All-Star break, the UConn product is averaging 12.0 rebounds per game.

I think he’s worth a look to go OVER this line, as the Pels are just 19th in the NBA in rebound percentage and 25th in opponent rebounds per game this season. Clingan has at least 13 boards in 11 games since the break.

Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Prediction and Pick

The Trail Blazers have a ton to play for on Thursday, as a win and a Clippers loss would move them into the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.

Portland has taken two of the first three meetings this season with the New Orleans Pelicans, and it’s heavily favored at home in this matchup with New Orleans nursing a five-game losing streak.

The Pelicans have turned their season around a bit – getting to 25 wins – but they’re just 9-28 on the road and 9-41 straight up against teams that are .500 or better.

That sets up well for the Blazers, who are four games over .500 at home and 24-7 against teams that are under .500 this season.

Portland has been rolling down the stretch of the regular season, ranking fourth in the NBA in net rating (+11.5) over its last 10 games. I love this price for the Blazers to win on Thursday night.

Pick: Blazers -6.5 (-108 at DraftKings)

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.

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