The set-up: The Blazers are struggling, sitting at 14-21 and ninth in the Western Conference. Most recently they lost to the Knicks badly as favorites in The Big Apple. The Wizards are in 12th in the Eastern COnference, most recently losing at home to the Magic. These teams met twice last year and it was the visiting side that won each contest. It's interesting to note that the visiting team has won in this series over the last five meetings. Carmelo Anthony is not the problem in Portland though, as he's been a good team player and he was the lone bright spot in the last loss, going for 26 points and seven boards. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have a big opportunity here to bounce back though vs. this porous Washington defense.

The pick: The Blazers average 112 PPG and the Wizards allow 121. That's the worst in the NBA. Portland will have its hands full defensively, but I think the talent on the visiting side, combined with their sheer will to win after their last embarrassing effort, will indeed prove to be too much for the home side to contend with tonight. Lay the points.

10* ELITE OF THE ELITE on the Portland Trail Blazers.