The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers duke it out once again at the Moda Center on Friday 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 pretty good form as they’ve won five of their last seven games overall. They will be eager to bounce back in this one after coming up painfully short to the Trail Blazers in a 103-102 road defeat on Wednesday. Kevin Durant led the team with 37 points on 14 of 26 shooting, Amen Thompson added 24 points with 12 rebounds and six assists while Tari Eason chipped in with 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Rockets shot just 37 percent from the field and eight of 36 from the 3-point line as they controlled the second half to overcome an early 11-point deficit. But just when the Rockets looked like they were about to take the lead, they allowed the Trail Blazers to go on a crucial 7-0 run to reclaim the lead for good.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are starting to heat up as they’ve reeled off six wins from their past seven outings and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after outlasting the Rockets in a 103-102 win on Wednesday. Deni Avdija led the team with 31 points on 13 of 24 shooting, Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points while Tounami Camara chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 43 percent from the field and 12 of 40 from the 3-point line as they played great defense early on to contain the Rockets in the first half. But just when it looked like they were losing their grip on the game, the Trail Blazers used a 7-0 run to start to pull away in the end.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Trail Blazers have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last seven road games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last seven Friday games against Southwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have won each of their last six games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last six games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home games against Southwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last seven games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Fifteen of the Rockets’ last 17 night games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan ranks 2nd in the league for second chance points (144) this season.
- Deni Avdija is one of only four qualified players in the league averaging at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- 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 (89.2%) this season.
- Tari Eason ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for 3P% (46.8%) 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 (49.1).
- 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 Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, Kris Murray and Jrue Holiday to name a few. The Trail Blazers have been hit hard by injuries this season, but they have been on a roll lately, and they will be brimming with confidence after beating the Rockets on Wednesday. But it’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row, so I am looking at the Rockets to bounce back and secure the win and cover on the road behind another big game from Kevin Durant.