For just the second time in seven seasons New Orleans is in the NBA Playoffs. Portland opened as the NBA games betting odds favorite to eliminate the Pelicans. But two upset wins by New Orleans caught attention. Gamblers quickly learned that a team with Anthony Davis is a team that can make money. Now the Pelicans have the full attention of the Trailblazers. But can they bring enough defense to the hardwood to match the greatness of Davis? And can a defensively oriented Portland team generate enough offense? Those are the handicapping questions being assessed for game four.
Portland Trailblazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Game 4
Date and Time: Saturday, April 21, 2018, 5 p.m. Eastern
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblazers | +7(-110) | 216 (-110) |  |
| Timberwolves | -7 (-110) | 216 (-110) | |
| |||
Trailblazers vs. Pelicans TV Coverage: TNT
New Orleans
New Orleans has been a major NBA games betting playoff surprise. Two wins in two games at Portland to open the playoffs shocked all. Yet the combination of Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday came up big. Portland had one of the best defenses in the regular season. Davis and Holiday rendered it helpless. Pelican profits are nothing new. Regular season bettors were in the black with them this year. Expectations are now through the roof. Pressure is now on New Orleans to finish the Trailblazers. Ultimately the mental state of both teams is dramatically and unexpectedly different.
Names on Court
Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 28 points per game this season. Jrue Holiday added 19 points per outing. What is most remarkable is that New Orleans is without their second leading scorer. DeMarcus Cousins is out of the playoffs due to an Achilles injury. Cousins averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds per tilt. It has to be demoralizing for Portland to have lost to such a shorthanded team. Now they on the road with no margin for error. Trouble in Rip City is the Blazers reality.
Anthony Davis
Capable of playing center or forward Davis is team captain. He is a five-time NBA All Star. Twice he was named All NBA first team. And in the past two seasons Davis has scored no less than 28 points per game average. New Orleans is the only team he has ever played for. Pelican management selected him as their top draft pick in 2012.
Alvin Gentry vs. Terry Stotts
Alvin Gentry has been New Orleans coach since 2015. For the first time he led them to the playoffs this year. While at Phoenix he led the Sunds to the conference finals in 2010. Portland coach Terry Stotts could be on the hot seat. This is despite winning the Northwest Division. He faces the prospect of a second straight first round playoff failure.
Team vs Team
At New Orleans the Blazers have paid in four of their last six visits. Three of the last four in this series went under the online sportsbook total.
Matchup to Watch
Seems like New Orleans will be particularly tough to beat at home. In Davis they boast the best player on the court. Mentally they should also have the NBA games betting odds advantage. Portland was favored and is now fighting for their lives. Pressure is on full blast for Stotts and the Blazers.
Trailblazers vs. Pelicans NBA games Betting Odds Picks
New Orleans in front of a boisterous home crowd is the call.
NBA Betting Online Pick: New Orleans Pelicans
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Pelicans 111, Trailblazers 93