by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Dec 08, 2021
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Warriors -14
BetMGM: Warriors -13.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Blazers: 11-14 (10th place, Western Conference)
Warriors: 20-4 (1st place, Western Conference)
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Blazers - Warriors preview and analysis
Recent form
Blazers: lost three straight; lost 102-90 vs. Clippers on Monday
Warriors: won 126-95 vs. Magic on Monday
The last thing the Portland Trail Blazers need to see at this moment is the buzzsaw that is the Golden State Warriors. Hence why you should feel comfortable taking the best team in the NBA at two-touchdown favorites at Chase Center on Wednesday.
The Warriors have alternated wins and losses over the past four games, the most recent being a 31-point victory over the young but hurt Orlando Magic on Monday.
It was another day at the office for Steph Curry, continuing his early-season MVP tear with a game-high 31 points and eight assists while going 7 of 13 from 3-point range. He's 16 threes away from becoming the all-time leader in that category, surpassing Ray Allen at 2,973.
"I know what the situation is, yeah," Curry said. "I always just play the game but obviously know I'm closing in. But try not to let it creep in to how you play and just enjoy the journey to get there ‘cause it does mean a lot to me as I do get closer. ... I'll talk about it when it happens."
Never say anything is impossible when it comes to Curry, but if he gets a chance to go for the NBA record for threes in a game, as well as a career, it's something we should all take into consideration.
The 33-year-old has rediscovered his MVP pace after a couple of off years in the Bay Area, and at 20-4 are letting it fly. The Warriors are also 8-2 against the spread in their last 10.
But if there was a time for the Warriors to explode in that sense, it's against a Portland team that's going through a ton of loss and upheaval. General manager Neil Olshey was fired on Dec. 3, once again creating some uncertain narrative involving the future of the Blazers.
Damian Lillard missed his fourth straight game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, and backcourt mate C.J. McCollum will be out for the foreseeable future due to a collapsed lung. Jusuf Nurkic and Norman Powell picked up the scoring slack with 31 and 29 points respectively.
Portland has lost three straight while giving up 100 in each game and at least 110 in two of three.
"That's what it's all about. You play hard, see what happens," Billups said. "I say this all the time: I think every team that plays hard no matter what gives themselves a chance. And we did that tonight. As shorthanded as we were, we had opportunities to win that game."
In addition to the Blazers losing six of seven outright, it's also been a struggle at the books going 1-6 against the spread. They were 1-point favorites Saturday against the Boston Celtics at home before losing by 28, as well as 5-point favorites two nights priot in a 31-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Prediction
No Lillard, no McCollum, no chance for the Blazers. I don't think Curry is breaking the record at home unless he is in literal flames, but it should be more than enough for this group to continue its nostalgic winning ways and pick up another victory. Warriors by 25
Betting trends
The Trail Blazers are 0-9 ATS in their last nine as an underdog.
The under is 4-0-1 in Golden State's last five following a straight-up win.
The Trail Blazers are 11-26 ATS in the last 37 in Golden State.
Projected starting lineup
Blazers:
PG: Anfernee Simons
SG: Tony Snell
SF: Norman Powell
PF: Robert Covington
C: Jusuf Nurkic
SF: Norman Powell
PF: Robert Covington
C: Jusuf Nurkic
Warriors:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Jordan Poole
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney
Key injuries
Blazers: Damian Lillard (abdomen, out), C.J. McCollum (collapsed lung, out)
Warriors: Andre Iguodala (knee, out), James Wiseman (knee, out)
Statistical leaders
Blazers:
Points: Damian Lillard – 21.5
Rebounds: Jusuf Nurkic – 10.2
Assists: Damian Lillard – 7.8
Warriors:
Points: Steph Curry – 27.7
Rebounds: Draymond Green – 8.0
Assists: Draymond Green – 7.6
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
