NBA Picks: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta Hawks

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Thursday, 3/27/14, 7:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Portland -2.5
Current Betting Line: Portland -3
Opening Total: 210
Current Total: 209.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Portland Trail Blazers are 19-18 SU on the road this season

Portland has dropped three games in a row, including a 95-85 defeat to the Orlando Magic as 6.5-point road favorites Tuesday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Trail Blazers have four of five probable starters averaging double figures, with point guard Damian Lillard leading the way at 21.1 points a contest, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Portland is 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS off a upset loss as a favorite this season.

The Trail Blazers picked up a 102-78 blowout home victory over the Hawks in the first meeting this season on March 5, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. In eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams—neither squad has scored 100 points. Portland is 19-18 SU on the road this season, which happens to be the sixth-most wins away from home for any team.

Atlanta is looking to snap a four-game losing streak, which includes a 107-83 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves as 5.5-point road underdogs Wednesday, while going UNDER the betting total for a third consecutive affair. The Hawks are led by the play of forward Paul Millsap, who is the only player in the league averaging at least 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. Offensively, the team has scored 100-plus points 42 times this year, which equals last season’s total in that category. Atlanta is 7-18 SU and 5-18-2 ATS in the second half of the 2013-14 campaign.

The Hawks will need point guard Jeff Teague to continue his solid outside shooting, as he’s knocked down at least one three-pointer in eight consecutive games—knocking down 50.0 percent of his shots from beyond the arc over that span. Atlanta is 20-13 SU at home this season, including an 8-6 mark versus Western Conference opponents.