Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Sunday, April 16th, the (41-41) Portland Trailblazers will take on the (67-15) Golden State Warriors in game one of their Western Conference playoff series.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Warriors 114.5 – Trailblazers 102.5 with an over/under of 217.0.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Warriors +11.6 (1^st) > Trailblazers -0.6 (18^th)

Points per game: Warriors 115.9 (1^st) > Trailblazers 107.9 (8^th)

Points allowed per game: Warriors 104.3 (11^th) > Trailblazers 108.5 (25^th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Warriors 49.5% (1^st) > Trailblazers 45.9% (14^th)

Three Point Percentage: Warriors 38.3% (3^rd) > Trailblazers 37.5% (tied for 6^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Warriors 43.5% (1^st) > Trailblazers 45.5% (12^th)

Turnovers committed per game: Trailblazers 13.1 (14th) > Warriors 14.4 (22nd)

Turnovers forced per game: Warriors 14.8 (1^st) > Trailblazers 12.4 (tied for 23^rd)

Rebounds per game: Warriors 44.4 (tied for 7^th) > Trailblazers 43.7 (tied for 13^th)

Assists per game: Warriors 30.4 (1^st) > Trailblazers 21.1 (tied for 23^rd)

Summary:

Golden State finished the season (9-1) in their last ten games while Portland was (7-3).  The Warriors have the advantage in all of the major statistical categories and signs point to this being a blowout.  Kevin Durant returned from injury to play the final three games of the regular season averaging 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.  Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson are all averaging at least 22 points per game.  Draymond Green is the leading candidate to win defensive player of the year.  Golden State leads the league in point differential, points per game, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, turnovers forced, and assists.

Portland has two dynamic scorers in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum who each average 23 or more points per game.  The Trailblazers rank 8^th in points per game (107.9) but are 25^th in fewest points allowed (108.5).  Portland really improved their defense with the addition of center Jusef Nurkic but he suffered a leg injury late in the season that will either keep him out or severely limit his effectiveness.  Golden State have won ten of their last eleven head to head regular season games against Portland and beat them (4-1) in last year’s playoffs.  I like the Warriors to take advantage of the weak Portland defense and win big in game one.

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