Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Golden State Warriors have a firm grip on 2nd in the Western Conference!
• After some big moves, the Portland Trail Blazers sit 10th in the West!
• The Warriors have won their last two meetings with the Trail Blazers.

Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers Odds

Head-to-Head: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers

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Injury Report

How can the Warriors beat the Blazers?

The Golden State Warriors are in excellent form as they enter the second phase of the regular season. When they take on the Blazers, Golden State must find good opportunities for their shooters.

The Warriors live and die by their ability to make shots. Not a power team by any means, the Warriors make 15.5 three-pointers in victories versus 11.9 in losses. Their shooting also coincides with their assist rate, as they drop 28.5 dimes in wins versus 23.9 in losses.

Without Draymond Green, Golden State’s playmaking is significantly weakened. With the way they move the ball, Golden State can’t be complacent in their off-ball movement if they want to beat the Blazers.

Warriors Key Player: (G-F) Klay Thompson

Andrew Wiggins rejects Nikola Jokic, which leads to a Klay Thompson triple ?pic.twitter.com/9PFzfiI1p5

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 17, 2022

Golden State Warriors mainstay Klay Thompson continues to make strides toward his past form as an All-NBA talent. As the second phase of the season comes together, Thompson’s progress will be key to the Warriors’ playoff success.

Despite participating in just 16 games so far this season, Thompson hasn’t been shy in his return. The Warriors guard is averaging 17.1 points on 41.8% shooting from the field while converting on 2.9 threes per game at a 37.4% clip.

Thompson’s efficiency has been a rollercoaster to say the least, but that’s to be expected after two years out due to injury. Against a defence-averse team like the Portland Trail Blazers, Thompson may be in the perfect situation to test his limits.

How can the Trail Blazers beat the Warriors?

There are many questions around the Trail Blazers and their future. However in the present, they must use their advantage in the paint to take down the trigger-happy Warriors.

The Trail Blazers haven’t found much success this season, but when they do it is when they can control the glass. With big bodies like Nurkic in the paint, Portland always have a target to dump the ball off to in the paint.

Averaging 46.0 rebounds in victories versus 42.7 in losses is all you need to see from Portland. With their star pair of Lillard and McCollum no longer together, Portland must shoot the ball efficiently and be relentless when pursuing second opportunities.

Trail Blazers Key Player: (C) Jusuf Nurkic

Jusuf Nurkic score 32 points Highlights vs Memphis Grizzlies! February 16, 2022 pic.twitter.com/BwooOnXjY6

— NBA BASKETBALL (@DejoseMark) February 17, 2022

As the Portland Trail Blazers navigate a new direction, Jusuf Nurkic is the last of their veteran core left to lead the team. When Portland comes up against Golden State, Nurkic must take advantage of his size.

Right before the All-Star break, Nurkic put up one of his best performances of the season. The Bosnian big man posted 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 12 of 17 shooting from the field.

Against a Warriors team that plays small, Nurkic must take advantage of his size and finishing ability. If he can continue to get to the free throw line, Nurkic may just lead Portland to another victory.

How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers