New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Zion’s return, betting odds, injury reports and DFS tips

The New Orleans Pelicans welcome Zion back to the lineup tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers as both teams try to improve their playoff odds.

The New Orleans Pelicans (22-31) are coming off a win over the Indiana Pacers behind Jrue Holiday‘s 31 points and 10 assists. The Trail Blazers (25-29) are also playing well, defeating the Miami Heat on Sunday behind 33 points from the red-hot Damian Lillard. The Traill Blazers enter the matchup just 2.5 games behind eight seed Memphis, while the Pelicans sit tied for the 11th seed, 2.5 games behind the Trailblazers. Both teams would like to bolster their playoff chances and head into the All-Star break on a positive note.

Zion Williamson says he is “ready to go” and Brandon Ingram is a game time decision , so the Pelicans will be close to full strength in what should be an exciting matchup in the Smoothie King Center.

Gameday information

Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBC Sports Northwest
Radio: KPOJ 620 AM
Streams: FUBO.TV and NBC Sports Northwest 
Last time out: Pelicans (22–31) beat Indiana 124-117 on Saturday; Trail Blazers beat Miami 115-109 on Sunday.

Betting Odds

Line: Pelicans -3

Over/under: 240

Moneylines: Pelicans -143; Trail Blazers +134

ATS: Pelicans 26-23-3; Trail Blazers 23-30-1

ATS splits: Pelicans 14-12 at home; Trail Blazers 12-16 on the road

O/U splits: Pelicans 13-12-1 at home; Trail Blazers 11-17 on the road

*All lines and betting information provided by The Action Network.

Injury reports

The official injury report has not been released but Williamson is expected to play. Ingram is still day-to-day and likely a game time decision. Shooting guard Kenrich Williams remains out for the Pelicans.

The Trail Blazers will be without center Jusuf Nurkic and small forward Nassir Little. Both Mario Hezonja and Anfernee Simons are day-to-day.

DFS tips

There is value to be had with several Pelicans depending on how Alvin Gentry handles the rotation and minutes. With Williamson and Ingram likely returning to the lineup, both Holiday and J.J. Redick could lose some value, though Redick is still a good play at 4.5k. Williamson’s return from a minor injury makes him a somewhat risky play, but his potential at 7.4k is still something to consider.

On the Portland side Lillard has been scorching over his last five games, averaging 56.6 FP, which is 6.6 over his projection. If he keeps it up he’d be a value play at 10.3k. Gary Trent Jr. is a value play at 4.4k after averaging 25.5 FP over his last five games.

With both teams playing well and coming off of big wins, this game figures to be up-tempo and high scoring, even as the Pelicans try to work some pieces back into their lineup. There should be plenty of points to go around, making this a good game to take a risk on a lower priced player like Josh Hart (5.1k, 29.8 FP over his last five games.)

Good luck with your bets and fantasy sports.