Portland vs. Gonzaga Pick
Can No. 15 Gonzaga pick up a lopsided win at home when the Bulldogs host Portland tonight at 9PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Gonzaga is the overwhelming favorite at home, as the Bulldogs are getting odds of -30 points against Portland. The over/under total for the game is listed at 148.5 points. Tonight’s game is taking place from McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington and will air live on ESPN3.
Portland has lost four straight games coming into tonight. They are now 6-11 overall, 0-4 in the WCC and 6-6 against the spread. The Pilots have managed to cover in their last two games. Portland is averaging 68.5 points per game this season while allowing 78.6 per game. Josh McSwiggan is leading Portland with 13.4 points per game while Franklin Potter and Marcus Shaver Jr. each put up 11.2 per contest.
Gonzaga has won four straight coming into tonight’s contest. The Bulldogs are now 14-3 on the season, 4-0 in the West Coast Conference and 8-5-1 against the spread. Zaga is 3-0-1 against the spread in its last four games. The Bulldogs are averaging 89.9 points per game this season while allowing just 70.4 per contest. Johnathan Williams is averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while Josh Perkins is adding 13.5 points and 5.6 assists per contest.
Gonzaga has won eight straight meetings with Portland, but the Pilots are 6-2-1 against the spread in the last nine in this series. Though the history is not on its side, Gonzaga has managed plenty of 30-point victories this season and Portland has been a mess this season. The Bulldogs are healthy and should be able to keep Portland from scoring. As long as Zaga hits its shots, covering this spread should be within reason. The public betting is slightly with Gonzaga and I am going to roll the dice with them as well.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: GONZAGA -30