Portland's defence is in for a test on Friday. The Trail Blazers look like they've turned a corner, but they're in for their biggest test of the season against the high powered offence of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets are feeling good heading into their Friday night showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers. They’re fresh off a win over the Indiana Pacers in a game where Kevin Durant scored 42 points – including 22 in a single quarter. Portland was spiralling out of control, losing 10 of their last 13 games before winning each of the last two. Meanwhile, the Nets have picked up three straight victories. Portland opened as a small favourite to win on the NBA odds. Let’s take a look to see which of these teams has the upper hand heading into this contest.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Trail Blazers are just 3-8 against the spread in 11 games against teams with a winning straight up record. They may struggle in this contest against a Nets squad that is loaded with talent from top to bottom. It’ll just depend which Nets stars are playing.
On the other hand, the over has been 7-1 in the Nets past eight games played at home against teams with a winning road record. That number is bound to improve once again, as each of these teams has a ton of offensive talent. Not only that, but both teams have also struggled defensively, which should make for a very high-scoring game.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have picked up two straight wins – beating the Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies – but they had been down in the dumps before that. They had lost eight of 10, which is odd for a team that had hopes of making an impact in the Western Conference playoffs.
Damian Lillard still leads this unit with 28.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Star running mate C.J. McCollum has pitched in 23.2 points and 4.8 assists per contest. Norman Powell was brought in at the trade deadline and is adding 16.2 points per game of his own. However, despite how talented they are on the offensive end, they have been known to fall asleep defensively. They allow their opponents to score an average of 115 points per game, which is hideous. If they want to win this game or even stay close, they have to clamp down defensively for the entire game.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have arguably the most talented roster in the NBA and it has shown with their 42-20 record, despite losing a number of key players for multiple games. The trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden have been excellent. Irving averages 26.9 points, five rebounds and 6.4 assists per game and Durant puts up 27.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Harden will not be active for this matchup, which may hurt them a small bit, but the team has been doing just fine without him for the last few weeks and could easily continue their streak given how talented the rest of their roster is. Durant played on Thursday night, so keep an eye on the injury news to see if he’s in the lineup again. If not, that could tip the scales to a Trail Blazers cover.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Trail Blazers vs. Nets?
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TRAIL BLAZERS
119 -
NETS
125
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 Apr 2:01pm | POR | -1 -105 | O +240.5 -110 |
| Closing 30 Apr 10:34pm | POR | -3 -110 | O +242 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
28.75 |
| Assists |
7.54 |
| Rebounds |
11.04 |
| FG% |
60.4 |
| Steals |
1.44 |
| Blocks |
1.2 |
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
34.33 |
| Assists |
10.17 |
| Rebounds |
10.33 |
| FG% |
80 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.17 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
Injuries
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Nassir Little (SF)
Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Norman Powell (SG)
Norman Powell (SG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Norman Powell (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Jeff Green (SF)
Landry Shamet (PG)
Joe Harris (SG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Reggie Perry (PF)
Blake Griffin (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Tues | Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Nassir Little (SF) | Ques Sun | Back - 11 / 05 / 21 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Carmelo Anthony (SF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 | 7-5 | 7-5 | + - |
|
Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz. |
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| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-6 | 8-5 | + - |
|
Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday. |
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| Norman Powell (SG) | Ques Mon | Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 | 8-6 | 9-5 | + - |
|
Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday. |
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| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Ques Fri | Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 | 13-9 | 13-9 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Out Sat | Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 | 15-12 | 14-13 | + - |
|
Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Norman Powell (SG) | Prob Thurs | Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 | 16-13 | 15-14 | + - |
|
Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 2-6-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jeff Green (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Landry Shamet (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 | 9-3 | 4-7-1 | + - |
|
Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Joe Harris (SG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 | 12-3 | 5-9-1 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Tues | Face - 11 / 05 / 21 | 13-3 | 6-9-1 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 | 16-7 | 8-14-1 | + - |
|
Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 | 17-8 | 8-16-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action. |
|||||
| Nicolas Claxton (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return. |
|||||
| Reggie Perry (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court. |
|||||
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 | 20-9 | 11-17-1 | + - |
|
Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Apr 2:01pm POR -1 -105 O +240.5 -110 Closing 30 Apr 10:34pm POR -3 -110 O +242 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Trail Blazers Team Leaders
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
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- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 28.75
Assists 7.54
Rebounds 11.04
FG% 60.4
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.2
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 34.33
Assists 10.17
Rebounds 10.33
FG% 80
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.17
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
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Injuries
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21Nassir Little (SF)
Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21Carmelo Anthony (SF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21Norman Powell (SG)
Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21Jeff Green (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21Landry Shamet (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21Joe Harris (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Reggie Perry (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Blake Griffin (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21 1-1 1-1 + - Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Nassir Little (SF) Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21 6-4 6-4 + - Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21 7-5 7-5 + - Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21 7-6 8-5 + - Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday.
Norman Powell (SG) Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21 8-6 9-5 + - Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21 13-9 13-9 + - Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21 15-12 14-13 + - Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG) Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21 16-13 15-14 + - Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alize Johnson (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 6-3 2-6-1 + - Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Jeff Green (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 8-3 3-7-1 + - Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Landry Shamet (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 9-3 4-7-1 + - Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round.
Joe Harris (SG) Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 12-3 5-9-1 + - Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21 13-3 6-9-1 + - Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 16-7 8-14-1 + - Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday.
Alize Johnson (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 17-8 8-16-1 + - Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action.
Nicolas Claxton (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.
Reggie Perry (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court.
Blake Griffin (PF) Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 20-9 11-17-1 + - Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest.