New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, February 16 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Trail Blazers about a 80% chance, and the Pelicans would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Trail Blazers 80%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 111, Portland Trail Blazers 119. The rating gap is 136 points in favor of the Trail Blazers, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Trail Blazers on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The Trail Blazers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -0.6.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The Trail Blazers' best recent win was 124-83 at home against PHX.
The Trail Blazers were beaten 114-93 at home by SAS not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026 and Shaedon Sharpe (POR), expected back Mar 2, 2027.
Day to day or questionable: Chris Youngblood (POR) and Branden Carlson (POR). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Trail Blazers lead 6-2, with the Trail Blazers outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 8.4 points per game. The last meeting was NOP 106, POR 118.