Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans: Game Preview, Prediction, Time, TV Channel

Update: Donovan Clingan (rest) is questionable.

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The Portland Trail Blazers continue their five-game road trip with their fourth game of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans at 17 Wednesday.

The Blazers lead the series 2-1 and have a great chance to claim the season series with a win. But maybe only if they can contain former Blazers guard CJ McCollum.

Injuries have turned a promising season into a disastrous season for the Pelicans. But McCollum has been on a scoring roll, at least until Tuesday night.

McCollum was held to five points on 1-of-14 shooting during a 104-97 loss at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Prior to that game, however, McCollum was averaging 28.4 points on 51.8% shooting while hitting 49.3% of his three-point shots during an eight-game stretch.

McCollum brought a spark to a team with the worst record in the Western Conference.

The Pelicans’ season has been disastrous. McCollum and Trey Murphy III each missed 13 games, Dejounte Murray missed 17 and Zion Williamson missed 30.

Williamson returned against the Timberwolves, but it’s unclear if he would play both of the second games of a back-to-back.

Forecast: The Blazers have been playing well of late and will have had a day to rest after losing a heartbreaker in Detroit on Monday. New Orleans will likely be without Williamson, giving the Blazers a distinct advantage.

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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

What: Trail Blazers (12-23) at Pelicans (7-30), 5 p.m., Wednesday.

Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: CAT (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. COUP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).

b>How to watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you still can watch this game live for free using an HDTV antenna at your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost about $20. You can buy one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it sent to your home quickly. Here are some instructions regarding how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other screen. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.

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ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Money line: POR +114 | NOP – 135

Spread: POR +2 | Over/Under: 226.5

DAMAGE

Blazers: Donovan Clingan (rest) and Deni Avdija (right wrist sprain) are doubtful. Jeremy Grant (facial contusion) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) is out.

Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) is out. Trey Murphy III (left ankle sprain) missed Tuesday night’s game at Minnesota. Zion Williamson (hamstring) returned against Minnesota.

NEXT UP

The Blazers play at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Dallas Mavericks (20-16).

— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)