Avdija, Trail Blazers take on the Pelicans

Updated Jan. 8, 2025 2:03 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers (12-23, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (7-30, 15th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pelicans -2.5; over/under is 226.5

BOTTOM LINE: Yves Missi and the New Orleans Pelicans host Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers in Western Conference play.

The Pelicans are 3-18 in Western Conference games. New Orleans gives up 117.1 points and has been outscored by 9.9 points per game.

The Trail Blazers have gone 10-20 against Western Conference opponents. Portland is seventh in the league with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Deandre Ayton averaging 2.8.

The Pelicans average 11.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer makes per game than the Trail Blazers give up (14.0). The Trail Blazers' 44.9% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.5 percentage points lower than the Pelicans have allowed to their opponents (48.4%).

TOP PERFORMERS: CJ McCollum is shooting 44.9% and averaging 22.1 points for the Pelicans.

Avdija is averaging 13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Trail Blazers.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 2-8, averaging 113.0 points, 41.2 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points per game.

Trail Blazers: 4-6, averaging 111.4 points, 44.6 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Brandon Ingram: out (ankle).

Trail Blazers: Matisse Thybulle: out (ankle), Donovan Clingan: day to day (rest), Deni Avdija: day to day (wrist), Jerami Grant: out (face).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.