Spurs vs Trail Blazers Prediction NBA Picks Today 4/6

© Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: TrailBlazers vs Spurs - April 6, 2023

The Portland TrailBlazers will take on the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference matchup on Thursday night. Both teams have struggled this season, but the TrailBlazers have a better record and are looking to improve their standing in the conference. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks EM predictions have been mixed for this game, but NBA today experts are expecting a close game between the two teams. NBA picks and parlay options are available, but it may be tough to make a definitive prediction for this game. The TrailBlazers have had a rough couple of weeks, going 2-8 in their last 10 games. Their defense has struggled, allowing 116.5 points per game, while their offense hasn't been much better, averaging just 104.9 points per game. The team will be without Damian Lillard for the rest of the season due to a calf injury, which will make their path to victory even harder. The Spurs have had an even tougher time lately, going 2-8 in their last 10 games as well. They have struggled to score, averaging just 112.3 points per game, while their defense has given up 122.7 points per game. Despite their struggles, the Spurs have managed to stay competitive in most games this season, with many of their losses coming by just a few points. In terms of injuries, both teams will be missing several key players. Justise Winslow, Ibou Badji, Trendon Watford and Damian Lillard are just a few of the players who will be out for Thursday's game. Overall, this game should be a close one, with neither team having a clear advantage. NBA picks with spread and NBA predictions today are giving the TrailBlazers a slight edge, but the game could easily go either way. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in what could be a must-win game for both of them.

TrailBlazers: Offensive Analysis

The Portland TrailBlazers will be looking to exploit the San Antonio Spurs' weak defense when they face off in their upcoming game. Despite their poor record this season, the TrailBlazers still have a formidable offense that can keep them in any game. Damian Lillard leads the charge for the TrailBlazers, with an impressive average of 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. The absence of Lillard will be felt, however, as he is ruled out for the season due to a calf injury. The TrailBlazers rank 19th in the league in points per game, averaging 113.2, and have struggled with consistency over the past few games. However, they do excel in fastbreak points, averaging 14.1 per game, led by Skylar Mays, who is averaging 3.7 fastbreak points a game. The key to their success will be their ability to take advantage of the Spurs' poor defense, which allows an average of 122.7 points per game, the worst in the league. Portland's three-point shooting has also been a strength this season, with Shaedon Sharpe leading the team in made three-pointers over the past 10 games, averaging 2.8 a game. The Spurs' defense struggles defending the perimeter, allowing their opponents to make an average of 12.4 three-pointers per game. The TrailBlazers will need to take care of the ball as they average 14.5 turnovers per game, which is slightly worse than the league average. It's an area where the Spurs have found success, as they average 7.9 steals per game and have forced an average of 14.8 turnovers per game from their opponents. In conclusion, the TrailBlazers have the offensive firepower to secure a victory against the Spurs. They will need to be aggressive on the perimeter and focus on exploiting San Antonio's weak defense. With Lillard out for the rest of the season, it will be up to the supporting cast to step up and take charge. The key to success will be taking care of the ball and executing on the fastbreak. NBA picks experts and computers predict a close game with the TrailBlazers coming out on top.

TrailBlazers: Defensive Analysis

In their game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Portland TrailBlazers will need to bring their A-game defensively if they hope to come out on top. The TrailBlazers currently rank 19th in the league in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 116.5 points per contest. This is not a good omen considering that the Spurs are averaging 112.3 points per game, which puts them in 25th place in the league. The TrailBlazers will need to focus on limiting the Spurs' effectiveness in the paint. San Antonio ranks third in the league in points in the paint per game, averaging 55.2 points per contest. Portland will also need to do a better job of closing out on three-point shooters. San Antonio ranks 20th in the league in three-point shooting percentage, but they are still making 12.5 three-pointers per game, which is good for 19th in the league. The TrailBlazers will need to rely on their perimeter defense to shut down the Spurs' outside shooting. Portland allows their opponents to shoot 37.7% from beyond the arc, which puts them in 29th in the league. However, there is some hope for the TrailBlazers, as they have been able to limit their opponents to 32.9 three-point attempts per game, good for ninth in the league. In order for Portland to improve on the defensive end, they will need to do a better job of controlling the glass. The TrailBlazers rank 26th in the league in total rebounds per game, grabbing an average of 48.5 boards per contest. San Antonio is slightly better in this regard, grabbing 51.7 rebounds per game, good for 12th in the league. Overall, the TrailBlazers have their work cut out for them on the defensive end. If they are able to limit San Antonio's effectiveness in the paint and defend the perimeter, they may have a chance to come out on top. However, if they are unable to do so, they will likely find that their opponents' offensive prowess is too much to handle. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer models have the Spurs favored, but with the end of the season approaching and both teams out of the playoff race, anything is possible in this matchup.

Spurs: Offense Analysis

The Spurs offense has struggled this season, averaging only 112.3 points per game (25th in the league). They are also shooting just 44.2% from the field and have a low effective field goal percentage of 52.4% (26th in the league). San Antonio's scoring issues can be attributed to their poor three-point shooting, averaging just 34.4% from beyond the arc (25th in the league). They also struggle at the free-throw line, shooting only 74.1% (29th in the league). The absence of Keldon Johnson due to a foot injury has also affected the Spurs' offensive efficiency. Johnson has been averaging 14.0 points per game this season and is a key figure in San Antonio's scoring lineup. In addition to their scoring struggles, the Spurs have also struggled with turnovers, averaging 14.8 per game (21st in the league). This also leads to their low assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.763 (21st in the league). Overall, the Spurs' offense faces significant challenges, and they will need to improve their long-range shooting and free throw percentages, as well as reduce their turnovers, to have a chance at overcoming the Trail Blazers.

Spurs: Defensive Analysis

The San Antonio Spurs have had a challenging season thus far, with a record of 20-59 and ranking 14th in the Western Conference. As they prepare to face the Portland Trail Blazers on April 6, 2023, the Spurs will need to focus on their defense to come out with a win. One of the main areas the Spurs need to work on is their turnover rate, as they average 14.8 turnovers per game. When facing the Blazers, who are ranked 30th in the league for defense, the Spurs can take advantage of this by maintaining their possession of the ball and making smart passes to create scoring opportunities. Although the Spurs have struggled defensively this season, they have shown some strengths in their game. They have been solid in the paint, averaging 55.2 points in the paint per game, ranking them third in the league. This could be an area they can focus on against the Blazers, who are ranked 24th in the league in defending points in the paint. The Spurs will also need to be strong on the boards, as they average 51.7 rebounds per game. With Portland being ranked 12th in the league for total rebounds per game, San Antonio will need to make sure they can control the boards to limit second-chance scoring opportunities for the Blazers. Injuries have been a significant issue for the Spurs this season, with multiple key players out. However, younger players like Keita Bates-Diop, who is shooting 50.4% and averaging 9.1 points, have stepped up and shown promise. The Spurs can use their youth and energy to their advantage, especially in their defensive game. Overall, the Spurs need to focus on controlling turnovers, dominating the paint, and controlling the boards to come out with a win against the Trail Blazers. While the odds may be against them, NBA picks experts suggest that the Spurs have a chance to surprise the league with an upset victory if they execute their game plan effectively.

Injury Report

Both the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs have several players listed on their injury report for Thursday's game. The Spurs have six players listed as out, including Keldon Johnson (foot) and Zach Collins (finger). On the other hand, the Trail Blazers have a lengthy injury report with 11 players listed as out. This includes star player Damian Lillard (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (knee). The absence of Lillard and Nurkic will be a big blow to the Trail Blazers as they look to pick up a win against the struggling Spurs. Portland will need other players to step up and make contributions on both ends of the floor. With the number of injuries on both sides, it is difficult to predict how this game will play out. However, the depth of the Spurs could give them an advantage against a depleted Trail Blazers team. Bettors should consider the injury report when making NBA picks for this game.

Betting Trends

The Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs are set to face each other in a Western Conference showdown. When it comes to betting trends, the Trail Blazers have struggled in their last 10 games, going 2-8, while the Spurs have also been struggling, going 2-8 in their last 10 games. In terms of NBA picks and predictions, the Trail Blazers may be the favorite, as they have won two out of three matchups against the Spurs this season. They will also be looking to bounce back after losing their last two games. However, when it comes to NBA picks and parlays, the Spurs may be a good option to consider as they have been performing well against the spread, covering in five out of their last seven games. Overall, this game may not be the most exciting matchup considering both teams' recent performances, but it could still be an opportunity for bettors to potentially make some profit. It will be interesting to see which team will come out on top and cover the spread.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs NBA Game Prediction - April 6, 2023