PREMIUM
Rogers' TOTAL MASSACRE >> ESPN MATCHUP!
(NBA) Golden State vs. Portland,
Total: 225.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 225.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Utah Jazz 115-96 on Sunday, ending the team's nine-game home winning streak (first home loss since late December). Portland now looks to avoid a second straight home setback and the opponent will be the 44-13 Golden State Warriors, owners of the NBA's best record this season and in case one wasn't aware, the owner of two NBA titles in the last three seasons. Figuring to make Portland's task even more difficult is the fact that the team has dropped 11 straight to the Warriors, including a first-round sweep in last season's playoffs.
Golden State: The Warriors have had spots this season when they haven't looked like the NBA's most-elite team but they've actually played just as well on the road (22-6) as they have at home (22-7). A big story (but a 'nothing-burger' in my view) was Steve Kerr allowing some of Golden State's players to call some plays during time-outs in their last game. The Golden State players seemed to enjoy the experiment on Monday but some Suns players felt the move showed a lack of respect, something Kerr did not intend. All are must be aware of Golden State's "usual suspects,' but I will remind all that the Warriors rank first in scoring (115.8 PPG), FG percentage (51.1%), three-point percentage (39.3%) and free-throw percentage (80.9%0.
Portland: All-Star guard Damian Lillard followed up a 50-point effort in a win at Sacramento with 39 points against the Jazz on Sunday but could not get enough help as the team fell for the fourth time in six games overall. Lillard is averaging 25.8 points while shooting 92.1 percent from the free-throw line, just ahead of Golden State's Stephen Curry (91.5),
Shooting guard CJ McCollum () scored 22 points in Sunday's loss but committed five of his team's 13 turnovers. Center Jusuf Nurkic (back, hip) left Sunday's game and is day-to-day. He's having a quality season, averaging 14.0 & 8.1 RPG, and will be missed greatly if he doesn't play.
The pick: Golden State has won its last seven meetings with Portland, including the first of three this regular season (throw in LY's playoff sweep and one gets to 11 straight losses). The Blazers would love to pull off the upset. "It's a big game for our team," Lillard said. "It would be great go into the (All-Star) break with a win against the defending champs, especially with how the standings are shaking out right now. It's a game we need to win. It's going to be exciting, it's going to be loud, and it's going to be really competitive." If only wishing could make it so. Portland last beat Golden State on Feb. 19, 2016. In the 11 straight losses, the Warriors have averaged 123.0 PPG. Make the Over an 8* play.
Golden State: The Warriors have had spots this season when they haven't looked like the NBA's most-elite team but they've actually played just as well on the road (22-6) as they have at home (22-7). A big story (but a 'nothing-burger' in my view) was Steve Kerr allowing some of Golden State's players to call some plays during time-outs in their last game. The Golden State players seemed to enjoy the experiment on Monday but some Suns players felt the move showed a lack of respect, something Kerr did not intend. All are must be aware of Golden State's "usual suspects,' but I will remind all that the Warriors rank first in scoring (115.8 PPG), FG percentage (51.1%), three-point percentage (39.3%) and free-throw percentage (80.9%0.
Portland: All-Star guard Damian Lillard followed up a 50-point effort in a win at Sacramento with 39 points against the Jazz on Sunday but could not get enough help as the team fell for the fourth time in six games overall. Lillard is averaging 25.8 points while shooting 92.1 percent from the free-throw line, just ahead of Golden State's Stephen Curry (91.5),
Shooting guard CJ McCollum () scored 22 points in Sunday's loss but committed five of his team's 13 turnovers. Center Jusuf Nurkic (back, hip) left Sunday's game and is day-to-day. He's having a quality season, averaging 14.0 & 8.1 RPG, and will be missed greatly if he doesn't play.
The pick: Golden State has won its last seven meetings with Portland, including the first of three this regular season (throw in LY's playoff sweep and one gets to 11 straight losses). The Blazers would love to pull off the upset. "It's a big game for our team," Lillard said. "It would be great go into the (All-Star) break with a win against the defending champs, especially with how the standings are shaking out right now. It's a game we need to win. It's going to be exciting, it's going to be loud, and it's going to be really competitive." If only wishing could make it so. Portland last beat Golden State on Feb. 19, 2016. In the 11 straight losses, the Warriors have averaged 123.0 PPG. Make the Over an 8* play.
