New Orleans Pelicans v Portland Trail Blazers: the preview
New Orleans Pelicans meet Portland Trail Blazers at Smoothie King Center, Thursday 12:00pm (NBA). New Orleans Pelicans have won 26 of the 51 meetings with Portland Trail Blazers since 2013.
The big picture
New Orleans Pelicans come in 19th on the ladder; Portland Trail Blazers are 11th. Portland Trail Blazers are the side higher up the table.
New Orleans Pelicans are 4–5 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 120.2 points for and 118.8 against.
Portland Trail Blazers are 6–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 121.4 points for and 112.4 against.
Form
New Orleans Pelicans have won four of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 109–115.
Portland Trail Blazers have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Los Angeles Lakers 118–124.
Head to head
These sides have met 51 times on our records since 2013: New Orleans Pelicans 26, Portland Trail Blazers 25.
Last time out (2025-26), Portland Trail Blazers won 118–106 at Moda Center.
Biggest margin between these two: New Orleans Pelicans by 34 points in 2022-23 (124–90).
Players to watch
For New Orleans Pelicans, watch Zion Williamson (20.6 points a game, 49 rebounds in 2026-27) and Saddiq Bey (16.4 points a game, 36 rebounds in 2026-27).
For Portland Trail Blazers, watch Deni Avdija (23.3 points a game, 54 rebounds in 2026-27) and Damian Lillard (20.4 points a game, 29 rebounds in 2026-27).
At Smoothie King Center
New Orleans Pelicans have won 12 of their last 20 at Smoothie King Center.
What the numbers say
On form, ladder and history, Portland Trail Blazers have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
