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Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans prediction: Portland favored to win Friday's NBA matchup [1/2/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans predictions for NBA Friday.
NBA action continues on Friday at 8:00 PM ET as the Portland Trail Blazers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury news, Dimers' proven NBA model predicts the Trail Blazers as the most likely winner of the Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Pelicans lineup will feature stars like Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole and Jeremiah Fears, while the Trail Blazers will be led by Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Caleb Love.
This article offers further insights into Friday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Blazers vs. Pelicans prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the result of Friday's NBA game between the Trail Blazers and Pelicans 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Trail Blazers a 63% chance of beating the Pelicans. Our predicted final score has the Trail Blazers winning 121-117.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and the Trail Blazers and Pelicans each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the 241.5-point over/under has a 55% chance of staying under.
Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Trail Blazers | Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -3.5 (-110) | +3.5 (-102) |
| Moneyline | -162 | +140 |
| Total | o241.5 (-110) | u241.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Pelicans +3.5 | -102 |
| Moneyline | Trail Blazers | -162 |
| Total | Under 241.5 | -110 |
According to our best NBA bets for Friday, the top play to make on this game is Under 241.5 total points.
Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans player props
NBA player props are an exciting way to wager on the Portland vs. New Orleans game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Smoothie King Center.
Deni Avdija is expected to lead the Trail Blazers with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, while Zion Williamson is projected to have 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Pelicans.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Trail Blazers prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Trail Blazers are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deni Avdija | 30 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 59 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | 24 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 40 |
| Caleb Love | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 29 |
| Toumani Camara | 14 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 31 |
| Donovan Clingan | 12 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 35 |
Pelicans prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Pelicans:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 26 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 47 |
| Jordan Poole | 21 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 37 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 31 |
| Bryce McGowens | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| Jose Alvarado | 10 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
Blazers vs. Pelicans game-day updates and essential details
Friday's game between the Pelicans and Trail Blazers at Smoothie King Center is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Smoothie King Center
Conclusion
We predict the Trail Blazers, with a 63% win probability, will likely beat the Pelicans on Friday, with Deni Avdija projected for a game-high 59 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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