The public is hammering San Antonio, but the betting value is on Portland in Game 5
Despite heavy public betting on the San Antonio Spurs to close out the series, the value lies with the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 as double-digit road underdogs. Portland has shown resilience, holding halftime leads in Games 3 and 4 despite losing both, and faces a young Spurs team with no experience closing out a playoff series. Regression in 3-point shooting efficiency favors Portland, which has been unlucky from deep despite generating similar open looks. The matchup between Jrue Holiday and De'Aaron Fox and a likely slower pace could keep the game closer than expected.
- ▪The Portland Trail Blazers are +12 road underdogs in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs in their first-round playoff series.
- ▪San Antonio is a young team with no prior experience closing out a postseason series.
- ▪Portland is shooting just 35.0% on wide-open 3-pointers compared to San Antonio's 45.6% in the series.
- ▪Jrue Holiday is averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game for Portland.
- ▪The game total is set at 216.5, with expectations of a slower pace due to strong defensive performances from both teams.
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OutKick The public is hammering San Antonio, but the betting value is on Portland in Game 5 San Antonio is a young team that's never closed out a postseason series, and 3-point shooting regression looms large By Geoff Clark OutKick Published April 28, 2026 4:46pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fox News Flash top sports headlines for April 28 Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. You could argue the Portland Trail Blazers (1-3) should be tied in their first-round series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs (3-1) heading back to the Alamo City for Game 5 Tuesday.
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