The Houston Rockets pay a visit to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Friday night. Here’s a Rockets vs Trail Blazers Prediction.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been struggling for form as they’ve lost six of their last nine games and they will hoping for a better result after coming up just short to the Clippers in a 122-116 loss on Wednesday. Alperen Sengun led the team with a triple-double of 23 points with 19 rebounds and 14 assists, Jabari Smith Jr added 19 points while Fred VanVleet chipped in with 15 points and eight assists. As a team, the Rockets shot 47 percent from the field and 16 of 37 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in full control when they took a 13-point lead into halftime, but they couldn’t maintain that pace in the second half where they got outscored by 78-59 in a disappointing finish. The Rockets will take on the Kings, Spurs, and Wizards after this one.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have continued to struggle as they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Thunder in a 128-120 loss on Wednesday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 29 points and five assists, Jerami Grant added 20 points while Duop Reath and Matisse Thybulle each scored 16 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 50 percent from the field and 14 of 34 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to keep pace with the Thunder until midway through the third quarter where they fell behind by 15 points.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Facts
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last eight games at Moda Center.
- The road team has covered the spread in 12 of the Trail Blazers’ last 13 games.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last four home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Houston Rockets Team Facts
- The Rockets have lost each of their last nine road games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- Eleven of the Rockets’ last 12 games as favorites following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Rockets vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Rockets are still shorthanded with Jeff Green and Tari Eason still out, while the Trail Blazers are severely depleted with Deandre Ayton, Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson all out among others. The Rockets have been playing well below their best lately, but they were more than competitive in their narrow loss to the Clippers and they really should be good enough to blow past this decimated Trail Blazers who are almost playing with a third string team at the moment. The line is modest for this one, so I’m sticking with the Rockets to bounce back with a much-needed win and cover on the road.