This is a 10* TOP SIDE on the Blazers.

Are we predicting an outright upset?

We are not.

Are we expecting the Warriors to take the foot off the gas in the second half as they prepare for a lengthy East Coast road swing this weekend?

We are.

Portland plays with revenge here as well after falling 118-103 to the Warriors back on November 26th.

The reason this line is so high? Damiam Lillard and CJ McCollum are both out. In their most recent loss to the Clippers, Jusuf Nurkic had 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting. Norman Powell had 29.

The Warriors are off a 126-95 win over Orlando. Golden State has been phenomenal as Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry continue to play with chips on their shoulders.

But this white hot start is not going to be sustainable over the long-term. With a truly difficult upcoming five-game road trip, I believe Kerr will rest most of his starters in the second half.

Clearly, Portland is now in a rebuilding year. There are plenty of trade rumors going on now about both Lillard and McCollum.

But with a game to adjust without them in the line-up, I think Powell and Nurkic can keep this one close down the stretch.

Grab the points, the play is PORTLAND.

Good luck, NP