New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction

🔮 Expert Prediction

Here's the thing: you look at the records – Blazers at 39-38, Pelicans way down at 25-51 – and you think it's a no-brainer. But this isn't the same Blazers team that started hot. They've dropped five of their last seven, including a head-scratcher against the Rockets where Damian Lillard had 39 points and they still lost by 12.

The key matchup to watch is how CJ McCollum deals with the pressure Lillard will bring on the perimeter. McCollum's been finding his rhythm, averaging 23 points over his last five games, but he'll need to be lights out against Dame. The Pelicans, despite their brutal record, have actually shown some fight at home, taking the Lakers to overtime just last week. Look, this Blazers team can be streaky, and the Pelicans have nothing to lose. I've got the Pelicans pulling off the upset, 118-115.