Portland at New Orleans

It's strange to say, but at 42-23, this is a must-win for the Blazers. They have lost four straight games and can ill-afford to lose a fifth straight. This is their last chance to get the W on this road swing and I think they are motivated and will lay it on the line. I know they are still without LaMarcus Aldridge. But, they are facing a team that is just 26-38 and Portland won four of five games without Aldridge last month when he was out with a groin strain. So this is a very winnable game. The Pelicans defense has been bad all season and has gotten worse of late. They have allowed 103+ in four straight games, allowing 108.3 per game over that stretch. New Orleans is 5-25 straight-up this season vs. winning teams. And, Portland is 13-3 straight-up this season on the road vs. losing teams. Back the Trailblazers for the straight-up win here.