Is it time to start worrying about the Golden State Warriors? Everyone has been waiting for the defending NBA champions to turn it on and leave all the Western Conference challengers in the dust, but as the calendar gets ready to flip to 2019, it still hasn’t happened. The Warriors will look to break out in a tough road matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland has been very good at home this season and shouldn’t be intimidated as it plays Golden State often. The Blazers are in the thick of a muddled Western Conference mess and a win over the Warriors would be a huge get. The Warriors are still expected to be the favorites in this one as they have all four of their stars healthy in NBA gambling.
This NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers will be held at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on NBA TV.
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Odds Analysis
The Blazers are 19-15 on the year and have been really impressive at home with 13 wins in 18 games. Portland has won seven of its past 10 games and will aim to stay hot. This is one of the more talented teams in the West and the Blazers figure to finish in the top eight to make the playoffs, and every victory will help their chance at a high seed.
The Warriors are 23-12 on the year, which is a good record on its face but an underwhelming one considering all of the talent on the team and the sky-high expectations. Golden State has been inconsistent on the road, with a record of just 8-8. Despite this, the oddsmakers know how good this team can be and it will be hard to make it the underdog in NBA gambling.
Scheduling Situation
This will be the second game between these teams in a span of three days as they will also meet up in Oakland on December 27th. That game will be tough for the Blazers to pull out, and if they do lose, it would be important to grab this win at home.
Golden State won the first matchup between these teams early in the year by a score of 125-97. Kevin Durant led the way in that one with 32 points while Klay Thompson had 31. Golden State shot really well from the field, hitting 56.5 percent of its shots from the field and 53 percent from three-point range. Steph Curry and Draymond Green both missed that game but are back now and good to go.
The Blazers’ defense needs to step up in this rematch.
Player To Watch
C.J. McCollum -- The Warriors have a dominant offensive team and the Blazers need their stars to step up in order to keep up. Damian Lillard figures to get his points for Portland but much could come down to how well McCollum plays. He is averaging 20.9 points and 3.8 rebounds on the season, shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from three-point range.
McCollum had 19 points and five assists in the first matchup against Golden State. If he or Lillard can blow up in this one, it gives Portland a chance at stealing the win.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Warriors are likely to win in Oracle a couple days before, so look for a focused Blazers team to come out intent on revenge. Golden State has the more talented team but for whatever reason does not excel on the road.
The Blazers have enough good players to pick up this much-needed home win. Keep an eye on where the spread comes in. Portland is a good bet against the moneyline as it figures to be the slight underdog in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Portland Trail Blazers 116, Golden State Warriors 111
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