Western Conference foes will square off Tuesday night as the Portland Trail Blazers (29-31) take on Golden State Warriors (31-30). The Warriors will host this one at the Chase Center, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 pm ET.
The Warriors are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -158 to win, while the Trail Blazers’ moneyline sits at +134. The spread features Portland as 3.5-point underdogs (-106).
Trail Blazers Success Reliant On Damian Lillard
The Portland Trail Blazers come into this one on the heels of a 131-114 win over the Houston Rockets in their last game. It was a historic night for guard Damian Lillard, as he had 71 points, six rebounds, six assists, and hit 13 threes in the victory. For the Blazers, their success on a nightly basis is often reliant on the success of Lillard.
As a unit, Portland ranks 11th overall, averaging 115.2 points per game (110.1 on the road). For Lillard, he is averaging 32.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.
Other contributors for Portland include Anfernee Simons (21.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists), Jerami Grant (20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists), and Jusuf Nurkic (13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists). Unfortunately, Simons (ankle) and Nurkic (calf) are out for this game.
On the defensive end, the Trail Blazers rank 18th overall, as they are allowing opponents an average of 115.3 points per game (113.6 on the road).
Shorthanded Warriors Trying For Three In A Row
Unfortunately for Golden State fans, the Warriors are awfully banged up right now. Steph Curry (leg) and Andre Iguodala (hip) are out for this one, while Andrew Wiggins is questionable. Draymond Green, who has been dealing with a knee injury, has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday.
Despite the injuries, the Warriors have won back-to-back games, including a 109-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. In the win, Klay Thompson led the team with 32 points.
On the season, Thompson has averaged 22.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. With the injuries, the Warriors are also reliant on players like Jordan Poole (20.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists), Donte DiVincenzo (9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists), and Kevon Looney (6.9 points, 9.1 rebounds).
As a whole, the Warriors rank second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 118.3 points per game (119.7 at home).
They rank 26th in scoring defense, allowing opponents an average of 118.1 points per game (112.8 at home).
Take The Warriors To Win And Cover
At 12-17, the Trail Blazers have struggled a bit on the road. They are also just 2-10 against the spread in their last 12 road games and 2-18 on the road in their last 20 versus the Warriors.
As for Golden State, they have dominated at home to the tune of a 24-7 home record. They are 7-1 in their last eight home games, and 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 versus Northwest Division opponents.
With the injuries Golden State is facing, this would usually be a spot where Portland could be an intriguing pick.
Still, Portland has their own injury concerns and the Warriors have just been dominant at home.
For as good as Damian Lillard is, it is hard to see him putting up 71 again, and that is what it might take for Portland to win this one. Take Golden State to win and to cover the 3.5-point spread (-114).
