Portland Trail Blazers (9-18) vs. San Antonio Spurs (14-13)
December 21, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: San Antonio Spurs -6.5; Over/Under: +228
(Get latest betting odds)
The San Antonio Spurs play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday night. Here’s a San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction. This article will include a San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Pick.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 10 of their last 12 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a six-game slide with a 126-124 home win over the Nuggets on Thursday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 28 points and 10 assists, Shaedon Sharpe added 27 points with six rebounds and four assists while Deandre Ayton chipped in with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.
As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 46 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter before they won the game at the buzzer thanks to a clutch layup from Simons with the clock expiring. The Blazers will take on the Mavs after this game.
San Antonio Spurs
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs have been in decent form as they’ve won three of their last four games overall and they will be looking to stay hot after outlasting the Hawks in a 133-126 overtime win on Thursday. Victor Wembenyama led the team with 42 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Devin Vassell added 23 points while Jeremy Sochan chipped in with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
As a team, the Spurs shot 48 percent from the field and 19 of 42 from the 3-point line as they surrendered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before they made up for it in overtime where they held the Hawks to just six points to win easily in the end.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last seven road games following a home win.
- The Spurs have won each of their last six night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Trail Blazers’ last five games at Frost Bank Center.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against the Spurs after winning as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Spurs’ last seven games as favorites has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Trail Blazers’ last seven games as underdogs following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Spurs rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (70.4%).
- The Spurs have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons – the equal-second-longest active streak in the NBA
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (23.9).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for H1 points per game this season (52.0).
San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still missing Matisse Thybulle and Dalano Banton is questionable, while the Spurs don’t have a single player listed on the injury report. The Trail Blazers looked like a different team in their surprising upset win over the Nuggets on Thursday, but performances like that have been rare from the Trail Blazers this season. With that being said, I am more comfortable going with the more reliable Spurs to continue their strong run with another win and cover at home.
