2021 Portland Trail Blazers Preview & Gambling Guide

2021 Portland Trail Blazers Preview & Gambling Guide

Portland Trail Blazers – Preview 2021

2020 Portland Trail Blazers Review

It was another disappointing year for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020. Despite finishing with a 42-30 record and making the playoffs, the Blazers had yet another first-round exit at the hands of the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, and the Denver Nuggets. Even with the Blazers acquiring Norman Powell last season in a trade with the Toronto Raptors, it was not quite enough. This Portland Trail Blazers preview is going to have some interesting personnel changes and player movement.

When the season ended for the Blazers, we all knew there would be significant changes coming to Porltand. There were rumors that Blazers superstar Damian Lillard was frustrated with the front office. However, Lillard quickly shut down those rumors and said he was committed to the Blazers….for now. Let’s get into the Portland Trail Blazers preview!

What’s New for 21/22

When the 2020-2021 season was officially over for the Blazers, the organization and former head coach Terry Stotts mutually agreed to part ways, opening up a vacancy at the head coaching position. There were primarily two names linked to the vacancy: Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups. Eventually, the Blazers decided to hire Chauncey Billups after Jason Kidd “withdrew” his name from the search, and eventually took the head coaching job with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Blazers made plenty of moves in the off-season, player personnel-wise. First, the Blazers re-signed Norman Powell to a long-term contract of five years. The Blazers also added Cody Zeller, Ben McLemore, Patrick Patterson, and Tony Snell. In addition, the Blazers traded for former Cavs forward, Larry Nance Jr. to bulk up the frontcourt. This will be a big year for the Blazers – will Lillard decide to stay in Portland or continue his career elsewhere. Time will tell and the clock is ticking on the Blazers.

Season Odds

NBA Title +8000

Western Conference: +3500

Northwest Division: +750

To Make Playoffs: -250

O/U: 44.5

Best Bet: Over 44.5 Regular Season Wins

Despite all the early exits in the playoffs. The Blazers are a great regular-season team. Last season, the Blazers finished with 42 wins in a 72 game season. In fact, over the last eight seasons, the Blazers have a regular-season winning percentage of at least 58%. This is a big year for the Blazers because of the frustration of Damian Lillard. This team has a great roster with great guard play, scoring potential, and added length to the frontcourt. The biggest improvement that we need to see from the Blazers will be on the defensive end. Last year, the Blazers finished fourth in offensive efficiency and 29th in defensive efficiency. It’s not rocket science – the Blazers have to improve drastically on the defensive end. I believe the Blazers will improve under a new coaching regime and continue their regular-season success.

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Portland Trail Blazers Player Prop Bets

CJ McCollum Under 23.5 Points per Game

C.J. McCollum has been great scoring the ball for the Blazers. However, someone will lose ball share with the re-signing of Norman Powell, who is another player that can score at will. Last season, McCollum averaged a career-high 23.1 points per game, but I believe this will be difficult for him to repeat this season with the added shooting and added front-court depth on this team. In addition, Nurkic will start the season healthy, where last season he missed time due to a variety of injuries.

Portland Trail Blazers Fantasy Preview

The Portland Trail Blazers stop and go with Damian Lillard. But I am high on having Norman Powell as the third scoring option, possibly even a second option, on this team. We’ve seen over the years that both McCollum and Lillard have missed time due to nagging injuries. Powell possesses the ability to score the ball, knock down three-point shots, rebound, and get steals. Now, I am trying to find players who are good depth options outside of the obvious of Lillard and McCollum.

Draft: Norman Powell

Fade: None

 

NBA Team Previews

Houston Rockets

Detroit Pistons

Orlando Magic

Cleveland Cavaliers

Oklahoma City Thunder

Minnesota Timberwolves

Toronto Raptors

Sacramento Kings

New Orleans Pelicans

Chicago Bulls

San Antonio Spurs

Charlotte Hornets

Indiana Pacers

Golden State Warriors

Washington Wizards

Boston Celtics

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Heat

New York Knicks

Los Angeles Lakers

 

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