The Houston Rockets continue their road trip with a visit to the Moda Center and a date with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
The Rockets have bounced back from a recent slump and have won three out of their last four games. In their last game, Houston defeated the Utah Jazz despite playing without James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Clint Capela. On the other hand, the Blazers are playing at home for the fourth consecutive game. Portland has won two out of three in this current homestand. The Blazers defeated the Indiana Pacers in their last assignment.
After a recent slump, the Houston Rockets have played well in the last week, winning three out of their last four assignments. In their last game played, Houston was without James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Despite missing their two All-Stars and Clint Capela, Houston defeated the streaking Utah Jazz behind a career-high 50 points from Eric Gordon.
Gordon presided over the Rockets’ offense and he’s scored an average of 20 points per game in his 13 games back from injury. Austin Rivers scored a season-high 21 points while Danuel House also scored 20 while grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds. Mike D’Antoni used a small ball line-up to baffle the Jazz.
Houston is the second-highest scoring team in the league at 118.2 points per game. They are 5th in rebounding at 46.9 boards grabbed per contest and are 28th in passing at 21.5 assists per game. The Rockets are 24th in the NBA in scoring defense at 114.3 points per game allowed.
The Portland Trail Blazers head to this game after defeating the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 50 points and 13 assists against Indiana. Dame is in a zone right now as he is the first Blazers player to score at least 40 points in three consecutive games.
C.J. McCollum also scored 28 points after missing three games due to an ankle injury. Hassan Whiteside had 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Veteran Carmelo Anthony scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while Trevor Ariza had seven points and four boards for his new team.
Portland is in the Top 10 in scoring at 112.8 points per game. They are 9th overall in rebounding at 46.0 boards grabbed per contest and they are at the bottom of the standings in passing at 19.9 assists per game. The Blazers are 25th in scoring defense at 114.9 points per game allowed.
Houston is 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played. The Rockets are 2-3 SU in their last five games played on the road, 6-13 SU in their last 19 January games, and 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against the Northwest Division. Portland is 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played. The Blazers are 3-2 SU in their last five games played on the road, 1-5 SU in their last six games played against the Southwest Division, and 16-3 SU in their last 19 Wednesday games. Head to head, the Rockets are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played against the Blazers.
The Rockets have listed Harden and Capela as questionable for this contest. Harden has missed the last two games with a thigh injury. Westbrook is expected to play here but if Houston will be without both Harden and Capela, they are going to have plenty of issues in this game. Portland is just 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played but they have won three of five and two out of their last three. The Blazers are coming off a win over the Indiana Pacers and Damian Lillard has scored at least 40 points in each of his last three games played. I like the Blazers to emerge victorious against what will likely be an undermanned Rockets team.
PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
The Rockets are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played. Houston is 2-4 ATS in their last six games played on the road, 6-13 ATS in their last 19 January games. The Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games played. Portland is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games played at home, and 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games played against the Western Conference. Head to head, the Portland is 6-3-1 ATS in their last 10 games played against Houston.
Houston is the #2 scoring team in the league this season but they have struggled to defend opponents on the other end of the floor. The Blazers are scoring over 116 points per game at home and with the Rockets listing Harden and Capela as questionable here, Houston is at a disadvantage. The Blazers are also at home and the Rockets are just 11-13 ATS in their last 24 road games.
PREDICTION: TRAIL BLAZERS +1.5
The total has gone over in four out of the last six games played by the Rockets. The over is 3-2 in Houston’s last five games played on the road, and 4-2 in their last six games played against the Western Conference. The total has gone over in each of the last five games played by the Blazers. Portland has seen the total go over in four out of their last five games played at home. Head to head, the total has gone over in 11 out of the last 15 home games played by the Blazers against the Rockets.
The Rockets are the 2nd highest-scoring team in the league this season while the Blazers are also in the Top 10 in that statistical department. Both these teams are in the Bottom 5 when it comes to scoring defense so this one should be a high-scoring ball game. Houston has put up at least 120 points in three out of their last four games played while the Blazers have seen the total go over 250 points in their last three games played.
PREDICTION: OVER
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