Portland Trail Blazers vs Washington Wizards Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 2/26/25, 1:21 AM  by Erik Gibbs | Modified on 2/26/25 at 1:30 AM in NBA Picks

The Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards face off at Capital One Arena on Wednesday night, with both teams looking to build on their most recent victories. Portland enters the contest having won two straight games, bouncing back from a four-game losing streak. Their latest victory came in a 114-112 thriller against the Utah Jazz, where they built a strong first-half lead and held on despite a furious late rally. The Blazers shot 41 percent from the field and drained 14 three-pointers, showcasing resilience despite being shorthanded.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have struggled mightily throughout the season but found some relief with a 107-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. It was a rare positive outing for Washington, who had previously dropped six straight games. They shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from beyond the arc, overcoming a blown early lead with a late 11-2 surge in the final minutes to secure the win.

Despite their recent win, the Wizards still hold the worst record in the NBA and have struggled mightily at home, losing 24 of their first 30 games at Capital One Arena. Their defense has been particularly problematic, ranking 29th in defensive efficiency while giving up 121.1 points per game. This lack of defensive discipline has been a major reason for their struggles, and they will need a strong effort on that end to compete with Portland.