The New Orleans Pelicans face the Portland Trail Blazers on April 2, 2026, in an important NBA regular-season matchup at Moda Center in Portland. This game carries very different motivations for both teams. Portland is fighting hard to secure a strong position in the Western Conference play-in race, while the Pelicans are struggling near the bottom of the standings and looking to finish the season with some positives. The Trail Blazers enter the game with strong momentum after several impressive performances in recent weeks, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Meanwhile, New Orleans has been dealing with inconsistent form and multiple injuries that have affected their lineup stability.
Portland has dominated the recent head-to-head meetings between these teams, winning most of the recent encounters and often doing so comfortably. Their defense has improved significantly in the past few weeks, allowing fewer points and controlling the tempo of games. The Pelicans, however, have been on a losing streak and have struggled defensively, conceding high scores in several recent games. With both teams coming into this contest in very different form, the matchup could favor the home side once again, especially considering the Trail Blazers’ strong performances at Moda Center.
Match Information
| Match | New Orleans Pelicans vs Portland Trail Blazers |
|---|---|
| League | NBA Regular Season 2026 |
| Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Moda Center, Portland |
| Broadcast | Pelicans+ / BlazerVision / NBA League Pass |
Team Records
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | 39–38 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 25–51 |
Portland is still fighting for a play-in position in the Western Conference, while New Orleans has already fallen far behind in the standings this season.
Recent Form
| Team | Last 5 Games |
|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | W-W-L-W-W |
| New Orleans Pelicans | L-L-L-L-L |
Portland recently defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 114-104 and has won seven of its last nine games. The Pelicans have lost five consecutive games and are struggling on both ends of the floor.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Total meetings | 55 |
| Pelicans wins | 28 |
| Trail Blazers wins | 27 |
| Last meeting | Trail Blazers won 122-109 |
Although the all-time record is close, Portland has controlled most of the recent matchups between these teams.
Injury Report
Portland Trail Blazers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jerami Grant | Out |
| Shaedon Sharpe | Out |
| Vit Krejci | Out |
Even with these absences, Portland continues to play strong team basketball.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Bryce McGowens | Out |
| Trey Murphy Jr. | Doubtful |
| Karlo Matkovic | Questionable |
The Pelicans are dealing with several injury concerns, including key scorer Trey Murphy Jr., which could further impact their offense.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Team | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Scoot Henderson | Trail Blazers | Strong three-point shooting recently |
| Jrue Holiday | Trail Blazers | Coming off a 30-point game |
| Deni Avdija | Trail Blazers | 28 points in recent win |
| Dejounte Murray | Pelicans | Key scorer with 19 points in last game |
Portland has multiple players contributing offensively, while the Pelicans rely heavily on a smaller group of scorers.
Team Performance Comparison
| Statistic | Pelicans | Trail Blazers |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 112.3 | 115.8 |
| Points Allowed | 115.1 | 104.5 |
| Three-Point % | 34.7% | 34% |
| Recent Defensive Form | Weak | Strong |
Portland’s defense has been one of the biggest reasons behind its recent winning streak, while New Orleans has struggled to stop opponents.
Also Read: Collin Gillespie Sets Phoenix Suns Single-Season 3-Point Record With Historic Shot vs Hornets
Projected Starting Lineups
| Pelicans | Trail Blazers |
|---|---|
| Dejounte Murray | Scoot Henderson |
| Trey Murphy Jr. | Deni Avdija |
| Saddiq Bey | Toumani Kamara |
| Zion Williamson | Donovan Clingan |
| Herbert Jones | Jrue Holiday |
These lineups may change depending on final injury updates before tip-off.
Betting Odds
| Market | Pelicans | Trail Blazers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +6.5 | -6.5 |
| Moneyline | +205 / +215 | -250 / -265 |
| Total Points | 232.5 – 233.5 | 232.5 – 233.5 |
Portland enters the matchup as the clear favorite due to its stronger recent form and home-court advantage.
Best Betting Picks
| Pick Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Spread | Trail Blazers -6.5 |
| Total Points | Over 233.5 |
| Player Prop | Scoot Henderson Over 1.5 Three-Pointers |
| Player Prop | Derik Queen Over 8.5 Points |
Scoot Henderson has been effective from long range recently, while Derik Queen has shown consistent scoring ability against Portland.
Key Match Factors
Portland’s defense has been one of the strongest in the league over the past few weeks. The Trail Blazers have limited opponents to around 104 points during their recent run, which is a major improvement compared to earlier in the season. Their balanced scoring and defensive intensity make them difficult to beat at home.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are struggling defensively and have allowed over 120 points in several recent losses. Injuries and inconsistent performances have also affected their offense, making it harder to compete with teams that are playing with playoff urgency.
Another factor is motivation. Portland still has a clear objective of securing a play-in spot, while New Orleans appears to be playing out the final games of a difficult season.
Match Prediction
Portland enters the matchup with better form, stronger defense, and the advantage of playing at home. The Pelicans have been struggling recently and may again face difficulties keeping up with the Blazers’ offensive rhythm.
| Predicted Winner | Portland Trail Blazers |
|---|---|
| Predicted Score | Trail Blazers 120 – Pelicans 111 |
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