The Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Hornets, both clinging desperately to their respective ranks in the Western Conference standings, will square off this evening in the "Big Easy". Tonight's skirmish is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET at the New Orleans Arena. The latest NBA Spreads have Portland listed as a -115 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at 181.5.
Portland, now 43-31 overall, won for the sixth time in its last eight games on Monday night, defeating the Spurs 100-92 in 
San Antonio. The victory maintained the Blazers sixth place postion in the Western Conference pecking order, but they are still a few wins short of locking up a playoff spot.
Portland, which has eight games remaining on its schedule, possesses a one game lead over the seventh place Hornets and a two game lead over the Grizzlies, which currently own the eighth and final playoff spot.
The Trail Blazers, who are 17-21 away from the Rose Garden this season, face a tough closing slate as well. In addition to tonight's game against New Orleans, Portland also meets winning teams in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Los Angeles (Lakers), and Memphis.
New Orleans position is even more precarious after an 84-102 loss to the Lakers on Sunday. The Hornets, at 42-32, lead the ninth place Rockets by just three games and, of course, the Grizzlies, who have won seven of their last 11 games, are breathing down their necks too.
Fortunately for Chris Paul and company, they play six of their last eight at home, where they have compiled an impressive 24-11 record. That may be enough to make up for the loss of David West (out the remainder of the season with a torn ACL) and get the Hornets into the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons.
This series has been a back and fourth one with each squad owning five wins in the last 10 meetings. Strangely, home court has mattered little with the Blazers winning three times in their last four trips to New Orleans and the Hornets have prevailing three times in their last four excursions to the Rose Garden. Look for that trend to continue tonight as Portland knocks off its banged up Western Conference counterpart.
Trail Blazers vs Hornets NBA Spreads March 30th, 2011:
Portland Trail Blazers -1 (-110), Over 181.5 (-110), -115 (Moneyline)
New Orleans Hornets +1 (-110), Under 181.5 (-110), -105 (Moneyline)
