Pelicans vs Trail Blazers prediction NBA · Tuesday, February 16
At a glance
The Portland Trail Blazers (3-0) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Tuesday, February 16 at 10:00 PM ET at Moda Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Trail Blazers a 79% chance to win and projects a 111-121 score (Pelicans – Trail Blazers), about 233 total points. This season, the Trail Blazers are 1-0 at home and the Pelicans are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 3-0 for the Trail Blazers and 0-4 for the Pelicans (current streaks: Trail Blazers W3, Pelicans L4). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 23% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Jordan Poole (Pelicans), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Chris Youngblood (Trail Blazers) and Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
On paper, the Trail Blazers dominate this matchup. The model projects Trail Blazers 121 – 111 Pelicans, a margin of about 9.9 points in favor of the Trail Blazers and a total around 233 points. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game. The Trail Blazers will be without Chris Youngblood or Shaedon Sharpe. The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray or Jordan Poole (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (+3.0 vs -4.1 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Pelicans need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Trail Blazers' defense allows clearly fewer points (114.7 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NOPOR
Players to watch
Pelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsTrail Blazers
Deni AvdijaF · #822.3pts / game
Ja MorantG · #16.3assists
Donovan ClinganC · #239.3reboundsRecent form
NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L
141-135 OTL104-91POR
110-98L
128-118W
124-83W128-120W
136-129Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
NO
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| NO | POR | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Record | 3-0 |
| 115.7 | Points scored / game | 118.2 |
| 120.5 | Points allowed / game | 114.7 |
| -4.1 | Adjusted margin / game | +3.0 |
| L4 | Current streak | W3 |
| 0-4 | Last 10 games | 3-0 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 1-0 home |
| 26-56 (-4.5) | Last season | 42-40 (-0.3) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Pelicans
Injury report Trail Blazers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.