The Portland Trail Blazers (29-31) will visit the Charlotte Hornets (29-31) for a non-conference NBA battle on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
The Hornets are 7.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Hornets -7.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Charlotte is a -298 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Portland is +240 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Trail Blazers vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, Feb. 28.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets Prediction, Picks
- Trail Blazers vs Hornets picks: Hornets -7.5, Trail Blazers Team Total Under 110.5
My Hornets vs. Trail Blazers best bets are on Charlotte to cover the spread and Portland to stay under its team total. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets Odds for NBA Saturday
| Trail Blazers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -112 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | +240 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -108 | 228.5 -110o / -110u | -298 |
Portland Trail Blazers vs Charlotte Hornets NBA Preview
Deni Avdija is listed as doubtful on the injury report for Portland today, while Donovan Clingan is questionable — which is a big deal for the Blazers.
However, the Trail Blazers have hung on without Avdija this season, going 7-5 ATS.
The Blazers' offense isn’t good, but they manage to scrap enough together to hang around in games.
The Clingan illness could be massive if he’s out because the Hornets are dominant on the glass.
Charlotte ranks 4th in offensive rebound rate and 2nd in defensive rebound rate.
The Hornets are surprisingly tough defensively despite their 19th-ranked defense.
Portland’s offense has a hard time keeping up with top-10 offenses as well, and Charlotte is 7th in the league this season.
The Blazers are 7-14 SU with a 24th-ranked spread differential (-3.4). They just can’t keep up with good offensive teams.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets Best Bets, Analysis
Hornets -7.5
Portland’s switch-all defensive scheme doesn’t limit the Hornets’ strengths.
The Blazers are actually dead last as a pick-and-roll defense guarding the ball handler, but that’s Charlotte’s weakness as well.
The Hornets want to drive and kick to shooters, which is something Portland actually does well in defending.
That said, the Hornets’ offensive floor is too high for the Blazers in this spot.
I make the spread for this game Hornets -8.8. So, I’ll play it up to -8.5.
Trail Blazers Team Total Under 110.5
I love the Under here.
The rebounding advantage for the Hornets is going to be massive, resulting in elongated possessions.
Portland’s offense will struggle against a Hornets defense that isn’t good but isn’t that bad, either.
I project this total down at 224.9, with Portland only projected for 113 points.
I’m expecting a bit of a slog, with Charlotte’s offense coming out on top and the Blazers’ offense looking anemic.
I don’t mind focusing on playing a same game parlay of Blazers team total under and Hornets on the moneyline.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets Betting Predictions
- Hornets -7.5 (-110)
- Trail Blazers Team Total Under 110.5 (-110)
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