The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers duke it out at the Moda Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Trail Blazers vs Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Trail Blazers vs Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets have been in great form as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Suns in a 100-97 win on Monday. Kevin Durant led the team with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Jabari Smith Jr and Amen Thompson each scored 17 points while Tari Eason chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Rockets shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 37 from the 3-point line as they restricted the Suns to just 37 points in the second half to overcome an early 13-point deficit. Kevin Durant put the finishing touch on the comeback with a clutch game winner with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have sprung to life with five wins from their last six games and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after smashing the Jazz in a 137-117 win on Monday. Deni Avdija led the team with 33 points, eight rebounds and nine assists on 10 of 19 shooting, Shaedon Sharpe added 29 points with seven assists on 11 of 19 shooting while Tounami Camara chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 53 percent from the field and 19 of 48 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 78 points in the first half to take a 21-point lead into halftime. They didn’t take their foot off the gas until the lead ballooned to 32 points at one stage.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last eight games at Moda Center following a home win.
- The Trail Blazers have won six of their last seven games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last 12 Wednesday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have lost six of their last seven home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last 11 Wednesday games as favorites.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games as home underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Fifteen of the Rockets’ last 16 night games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last six games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Deni Avdija has recorded 9+ assists in three consecutive appearances – longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Donovan Clingan has recorded 12+ rebounds in three consecutive appearances – equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Tari Eason ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (48.8%) this season.
- Kevin Durant is one of only two qualified players in the league to be leading their team in blocks per game (1.0) and free-throw percentage (89.7%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.7).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.3).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (48.8).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (37.6).
Trail Blazers vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun and Isaiah Crawford, while the Trail Blazers have ruled out Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and Matisse Thybulle once again. The Rockets are starting to heat up again, and they looked great in their dramatic comeback win over the Suns on Monday thanks to Kevin Durant. Now they are up against the Trail Blazers, who have looked great over the past couple weeks. These teams last met on Nov. 12 with the Rockets winning by 140-116 in the NBA Cup, so while I’m expecting a closer contest, I am looking at the same result with the Rockets getting the win and cover on the road.