The Portland Trail Blazers will try to end their rough 5-game road trip on a high note when they visit the struggling New Orleans Pelicans.
The Blazers are currently clinging to the final play-in spot in the West, and are 4.5-point favorites in the Big Easy on Thursday.
However, my Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks doesn’t underestimate NOLA, who have kept things close while losing lots.
And they might have the best player on the floor in this one.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans prediction
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans best bet: Pelicans +4.5 (-110)
After hanging tough with the East-leading Pistons in a close loss, the Portland Trail Blazers were lit on fire last time out in Memphis, getting crushed 119-96 – their second-lowest scoring output of the season.
The Blazers have just three wins in their last 13 games, and their defense is nearly non-existent, allowing 121.9 points per game, which ranks bottom-five in the league over that stretch.
The roster is a mess and won’t be close to full strength on Thursday. Already ruled out are guard Jrue Holiday (calf) and center Donovan Clingan (leg). Center Robert Williams (illness) is questionable, as is fellow big man Yang Hansen (face).
This is a team that is already down guard Matisse Thybulle (hamstring) while guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) has yet to play this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans aren't fully healthy either, as they’re still down Zion Williamson (adductor), while guard Jordan Poole (quadriceps) is questionable. They have just one win in their last 17 games.
They were downed last game by the Spurs, 135-132, sending them to their seventh loss in a row.
The silver lining is that they’ve been competitive: five of those defeats have been by single figures, with two of those games getting to overtime.
Part of that is the emergence of rookie Derik Queen, who is coming off a monster 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist night against the Spurs. He also added four blocks.
Considering the injuries on both teams, the rook might just be the most prominent player on the floor Thursday.
Portland has won four straight in this head-to-head, and they’re 5-0-1 against the spread vs New Orleans in the last six meetings.
But New Orleans is 8-5-1 ATS as a home team this year, and while they might not win, they can definitely compete with the road-weary Blazers.
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Trail Blazers vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Deni Avdija’s scoring surge took a little hit against Memphis, as his 17 points was his first sub-25 scoring performance in his last six games.
He’s also familiar with NOLA, lighting them up for 32 in a 125-117 win on Nov 12.
Queen’s scoring line is a generous 13.5 points, which shouldn’t be a problem. He went for 26 in his first meeting against the Blazers in November.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans SGP
- Pelicans +4.5
- Deni Avdija Over 25.5 points
- Derik Queen Over 13.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Fears the facilitator
Trey Murphy III did hit three triples in the first meeting against Portland, but he’s only connected on three 3-pointers in a game once in his last five.
It’s been a nice little assist stretch for Jeremiah Fears, who has topped his 3.5-line in four straight, including four last time out against the Spurs. He should be around that number again.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans SGP
- Pelicans +4.5
- Deni Avdija Over 25.5 points
- Derik Queen Over 13.5 points
- Trey Murphy III Under 2.5 three-point makes
- Jeremiah Fears Over 3.5 assists
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans odds
- Spread: Portland -4.5 (-110) | New Orleans +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Portland -185 | New Orleans +155
- Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans betting trend to know
New Orleans is 5-1-0 ATS in their last six games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Pelicans
| Location | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
| Date | Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | KUNP, GCSEN |
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans latest injuries
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