Tip-off: Thursday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Golden State -9.0, Total: 208.5

The Warriors look to avoid losing a third straight game when they host the Blazers Thursday.

The Blazers have played some great basketball recently, beating the Timberwolves 116-91 as 16.5-point home favorites for their third win both SU and ATS in their past four games. In those contests, Portland has won every game in which the team held its opponent to less than 100 points. Golden State, meanwhile, has now lost two straight games after a 103-100 loss as 4.5-point road favorites against New Orleans Tuesday. Over the past three seasons, the Warriors are 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS when facing the Blazers. They are 3-1 SU but just 2-2 ATS when hosting Portland in that time. The Blazers are 20-9 ATS in road games after five straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons. Golden State, however, is an outrageous 10-0 ATS in home games after three straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons. Both SG Wesley Matthews (Achilles) and SF Dorell Wright (Hand) are out for the season for Portland and Golden State enters this game completely healthy.

Can the Blazers stay hot with a victory over the Warriors Thursday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 60% ATS (206-139-4) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Brian who has a lofty 61% ATS (28-18-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 57% ATS (67-50-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Gary has a strong 55% ATS (38-31-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 54% ATS (63-53-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 60% ATS record (44-30-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 55% ATS (63-51-1) for the season. StatFox Zach is a scorching 65% ATS (45-24-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2 to sit at 53% ATS (61-54-2) for the season, while StatFox Dave is a robust 64% ATS (33-19) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28.

The Blazers will be looking to keep up their excellent play with a win in Golden State Thursday. PF LaMarcus Aldridge (23.4 PPG, 10.3 RPG) had 24 points and 13 boards in a win over Minnesota last game. He has a major size advantage over the Warriors’ power forwards and had 26 points and 13 boards the last time he faced the team. He should be able to post a similar line in this one. PG Damian Lillard (21.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG) is averaging 20.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 5.0 APG in two meetings with the Warriors this season, but he is shooting just 33.3% from the field in those contests. He must take better shots and hold his own in his matchup with Stephen Curry. SF Nicolas Batum (9.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.8 APG) had just five points the last time he faced Golden State. He did, however, have 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in 29 minutes of action versus Minnesota last game. He looked excellent in that game and must bring the same energy against the Warriors on Thursday. SG C.J. McCollum (6.4 PPG) continues to play extremely well in increased minutes for this team. Over the past five games, McCollum is averaging 15.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 25.0 MPG. He is a very good outside shooter (40% 3PT) and will need to stay on the court with this team struggling to get scoring on the perimeter often.

The Warriors have lost two straight games and will look to get things back on track with a win over the Blazers. PG Stephen Curry (23.6 PPG, 7.7 APG, 4.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG) is averaging 24.5 PPG, 7.5 APG and 5.0 RPG over the past two contests and now faces a Blazers team that he has torched this season. In two meetings with Portland, Curry is averaging 27.0 PPG and 8.0 APG. He’ll need to outplay Damian Lillard once again in this one. SG Klay Thompson (21.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG) is really struggling over the past two games, averaging just 6.5 PPG on 5-for-21 shooting from the field. He is, however, averaging 22.5 PPG in two meetings with Portland this season. PF Draymond Green (11.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG) had 24 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal against New Orleans last game. He’ll need to play some solid defense on Aldridge in this game. C Andrew Bogut (6.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG) will also need to be on his game defensively in this one. He had eight points, eight rebounds and an incredible nine blocks in 28 minutes against the Pelicans. It will be his job to protect the rim in this game and he could see some time guarding Aldridge if Draymond Green struggles.