- The Pelicans are favored by 3.5 points over the Trail Blazers in Tuesday’s Summer League game at 7:00 PM PT
- Young centers Yang Hansen and Derik Queen, both with Nikola Jokić-like potential, lead the matchup
- Check below for my Trail Blazers vs Pelicans picks and predictions, and the updated odds for Tuesday’s Summer League game
The “Chinese Jokić” faces off against another center compared to the three-time MVP. Yang Hansen has been impressive in Summer League games with his excellent passing, while Derik Queen has recorded consecutive double-doubles for New Orleans.
The teams occupy different ends of the Summer League standings. Portland crushed Golden State 106-73 before losing to Memphis, while the Pelicans have lost close games despite Queen’s efforts.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Picks
The Pelicans are struggling with turnovers and fouls. They committed 25 turnovers in their first game and lead the tournament in fouls, a risky situation against a Portland team excelling in free throws.
New Orleans has had significant issues with ball control. Jeremiah Fears, the seventh overall pick, has a poor 1-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio in two games. The team recorded just six assists against the Lakers, with none in the second half.
Summer League Efficiency Comparison
Portland’s offense is driven by multiple creators. Caleb Love averages 18.0 points while shooting 43.8% from three. Sidy Cissoko contributes with 14.0 points per game. Both have NBA experience and command the game’s pace.
The Blazers have outperformed by 12 points during Hansen’s time on the court, despite modest box score figures. His averages of 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists do not fully reflect his impact. His passing creates easy opportunities, and he averages 2.0 blocks per game.
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Queen has strong stats with consecutive double-doubles, averaging 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, but he is fouling frequently, and New Orleans is outscored during his minutes. The team’s lack of discipline is evident.
Antonio Reeves is New Orleans’ most consistent scorer with 15.0 points per game. He scored 20 against the Lakers, but he can’t do it all. The Pelicans only managed 81 points in that defeat despite Reeves’ strong performance.
Trail Blazers vs Pelicans Predictions
Hansen acknowledged fatigue influenced his play during Saturday’s back-to-back games. With two days of rest, he is expected to regain his form. His adaptation to the NBA schedule should improve his endurance.
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