The Pesky Portland Trail Blazers are playing NBA basketball tonight in an matchup of East versus West. The Orlando Magic visit seldom seen Moda Center. The Florida boys travel to the Pacific Northwest to face one of the hottest teams in the association. Let’s talk hoops!
Game Information
- Moda Center in Portland, Oregon
- Orlando Magic (24-24) visit the (18-29) Portland Trail Blazers
- Previous Matchup: January 23rd, 2025 Portland Win 101-79
Orlando’s stars have struggled shooting since their returns.
Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail Blazers
The Jail Blazers. The Brandon Roy injuries. The Greg Oden injuries. LaMarcus Alridge leaving for another small market. Dame Time also came to an abrupt end.
The last few decades of Portland basketball have been memorable to say the least. Though they’ve had success they have not lifted Larry since the seventies. Chauncey Billips and a trio of young guards hopes to change that in the coming years. Lead by flashes of Scoot and Sharpe, and lately by the emerging Deni Avdija, this team’s got a bright future. That’s without mentioning their leading scorer who happens to be on a team friendly contract and he’s 25. Pesky Portland is here to stay.
The Orlando Magic have dealt with a hellish season with a litany of injuries that probably makes them wish they learned from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Their stars got dealt the same brutal injury and they weathered the storm. However, they’ve gone 2-8 in their last ten, and Banchero & Wagner are still finding their legs and consistency.
NBA Game Analysis
The Magic should be rested despite last playing in double overtime. Before they played Miami on Monday they didn’t have an away game since Tuesday in Toronto. Their last ten games have been brutal basketball anyways. They’ve averaged only 99.8 points per game while giving up 111.6 points to opponents. Even before this recent skid this team hasn’t been scoring and currently they’re dead last in the NBA with 104.1 points per game. Portland helped contribute to their troubles just a week ago.
I just lost my jaw @franzboogie pic.twitter.com/0tWORdo0zb
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 28, 2025
Their only path to victory is for the defence to travel and their stars to overwhelm. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have flashed the play that made them early season darlings and they’ve still come up short. That is because the boxscore totals have looked good but their shooting splits have left much to be desired. They were absolutely beat down on their own home court less than a week ago. So, there is a chance they come correct and respond for revenge.
Despite the struggles, the Magic will more than likely make the playoffs, and as such a game against an opponent well under .500 could be a get right spot.
Statistical analysis of this Portland squad is finicky at best. They have both a bottom ten offence and bottom ten scoring defence and yet they are winning basketball games they shouldn’t be. Pesky. Very Pesky. Portland has picked up more than half of their wins at home this season. Their faithful fans support the squad and that helps them get out and play with energy.
Either the Eastern Conference visitor tightens the screws on defence, or the Trail Blazers simply put up points and pull off the cover, and then we may start wondering in Jamahl Mosley’s squad has a few too many screws loose.
NBA Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers +5 (-110)
Basically, this is the home team’s game to lose. They are hot and their opponent is cold. Orlando is on the opposite trajectory. Portland is great at blocking shots (T-5th) which should help them deter Orlando from scoring in the paint. That’s step one to covering. Step two? They need this game to be fast and at home I think they get that done. The over hit in 11 of the last 14 home games for these Blazers. Moda Center has and always will be a great place to play.
TOGETHER ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/9r4jZYQgJ8
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 29, 2025
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