Portland has surprised many to begin the season as they are 7-3 heading into Wednesday night’s game as this writeup is written prior to the Hornets game. The Trail Blazers are averaging 109.8 PPG which is 22nd in the NBA, but its defense has been its strong point as opponents are scoring just 108.9 PPG which is second-best in the NBA. This season, Portland has been led by Damian Lillard who’s averaging 29 PPG while Anfernee Simmons is averaging 22.4 while Jerami Grant is chipping in with 18.4. As a team, they are shooting 46.9% from the field and 39.5% from three.

In Monday’s game against the Miami Heat, the Trail Blazers had a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Heat to get a road win. Portland outscored Miami 37-26 to win 110-107 and in the game, they were led by Simmons who dropped 25 while Grant added 23 and Lillard had 19. Off the bench, Justise Winslow had 12 points.

Portland is dealing with some nagging injuries as Lillard, Grant, Simmons, Jusuf Nurkic, Winslow, and Keon Johnson are all considered day-to-day. Gary Payton II meanwhile, remains out.

New Orleans ends its road trip and begins a six-game homestand that takes them to November 21. The Pelicans are currently .500 entering Wednesday’s game as they struggled against the Indiana Pacers, in a game New Orleans was the betting favorite in. The Pelicans were outscored in both halves but it was a close game the entire time but were led by Brandon Ingram who dropped 29 while Zion Williamson had 26.

The Pelicans haven’t played many games at home as they are 2-1 but have actually been worse offensively at home. This season, New Orleans has been led by Williamson who’s averaging 23.1 PPG along with 6.9 rebounds while Ingram is averaging 22.8 and CJ McCollum is adding 20.3 points. Jonas Valanciunas, meanwhile, is averaging a double-double with 14.4 points and 10.3 rebounds.

New Orleans will likely be without Garrett Temple and Kira Lewis Jr. while Larry Nance Jr.’s status is considered day-to-day.

It is always hard to predict games on a back-to-back as some players may not play as much, and with both teams having to fly after the game it makes it that much more difficult. But, I do like New Orleans here given the fact Portland is banged up heading into this game. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, struggle offensively to put up points which isn’t a good sign against a Pelicans team that ranks fifth in offensive rating and is averaging 118.5 PPG which is the best in the NBA. New Orleans should be able to dictate the pace of this game and continue to knock down shots from three and force Portland into an offensive game which is something they have struggled in.