San Antonio Spurs (12-12) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (8-16)
December 13, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Portland Trail Blazers +3.5; Over/Under: +222.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The San Antonio Spurs pay a visit to the Moda Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. Here’s a Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Prediction. This article will include a Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Prediction Pick.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost four of their last six games, but they will be eager to build some momentum after sneaking past the depleted Pelicans in a 121-116 home win on Sunday to snap a three-game skid. Victor Wembenyama led the team with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, Stephon Castle added 22 points while Harrison Barnes and Charles Bassey scored 16 points each.
As a team, the Spurs shot 45 percent from the field and 12 of 39 from the 3-point line as they caught fire and exploded for 43 points in the second quarter to take an 11-point lead, which was enough to hold off a late charge from the Spurs in the fourth quarter. The Spurs will play the Timberwolves, Hawks, and 76ers next.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have been in a slump of their own as they’ve lost eight of their last 10 games overall and they will be looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat after getting beaten by the Lakers in a 107-98 road defeat on Sunday. Shaedon Sharpe led the team with 19 points, Deandre Ayton tallied 14 points with 19 rebounds, while Deni Avdija chipped in with 13 points off the bench.
As a team, the Trail Blazers shot just 41 percent from the field and nine of 36 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to claw their way back into the contest after getting outscored by 37-17 in the second quarter, only to allow the Lakers to pull away in the fourth quarter as they just couldn’t get enough scoring from their starters. Jerami Grant had a night to forget as he shot just one of 12 from the field to finish with only three points.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their last nine games as road favorites.
- The Trail Blazers have lost seven of their last eight home games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in each of their last eight night games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Spurs’ last five games as favorites has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the Trail Blazers’ last five games against Southwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Anfernee Simons ranks 5th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (89.7%) this season.
- Jerami Grant ranks 12th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (1.1) this season.
San Antonio Spurs Player Facts
- Victor Wembanyama ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (3.4) this season.
- Chris Paul ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (10.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.2).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.7).
- The Spurs rank T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (70.8%).
- The Spurs have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons – the equal-second-longest active streak in the NBA
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Prediction
The Spurs are still missing Stephon Castle and Zach Collins, while the Trail Blazers are keeping an eye on Robert Williams and Deandre Ayton who are both listed as questionable. You couldn’t back either side with too much confidence as neither team has shown much consistency this season, but there is more to like about the Spurs who looked good in their win over the Pelicans on Sunday. The line should probably be shorter for this matchup, but I still think the Spurs get the win and cover on the road.
