The Portland Trail Blazers (20-27) take on the Houston Rockets (29-17) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game will air on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction
The Rockets will be looking for a similar result after topping the Utah Jazz in their last outing, 126-117, as 14.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (243) finished well over the projected point total of 220.5. The Rockets held the Jazz to an offensive rebounding percentage of 5.6 (below their season average of 21.3) and had a free throw rate of 0.432 (above their season average of 0.228). Houston was lifted by Eric Gordon, who was the game’s leading scorer with 50 points on 14-for-22 shooting.
In the Trail Blazers’ last outing, they beat the Indiana Pacers, 139-129, comfortably covering as 2-point favorites. The total points for the game (268) came in well over the O/U total of 220. The Trail Blazers, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.9, had a solid mark of 32.4 and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.656 (above their season average of 0.518). Damian Lillard was the top scorer from either team with 50 points on 14-for-23 shooting from the field.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Trail Blazers won the most recent matchup 117-107, covering as 9-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 224 points, which was 13.5 points below the projected point total of 237.5 points. The Trail Blazers had a better turnover percentage (6.1 vs. 10.2) and had a better free throw rate (0.253 vs. 0.156). Despite the loss, Russell Westbrook put up a triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
Houston comes into the contest with records of 29-17 straight up (SU) and 23-23 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Rockets’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Portland owns records of 20-27 SU and 17-28-2 ATS. Unlike Houston, a little over half of Trail Blazers games have finished over the projected point total.
Houston could struggle to create turnovers. Portland ranks fourth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while Houston forces the 16th-most turnovers (13.6 percent). Also, the third-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 111.6) will try to exploit the 24th-ranked defense of the Trail Blazers (defensive efficiency of 110.8).
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Houston is 12-12 ATS with 14 unders and 10 overs.
Portland is 7-14-1 ATS at home with 14 overs and 8 unders.
In contests where they allow under 100 points, Houston is 3-0 and Portland is 4-0.
When reaching the century mark, the Rockets are 29-15 and the Trail Blazers are 20-21.
Houston ranks fifth in rebounds per game (46.9) while Portland ranks last in rebounds allowed per game (47.9).
The Trail Blazers rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while the Rockets rank 26th (18.3).
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (43.2) while Portland ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (34.9).
The Rockets rank 12th in steals per game (7.9) while the Trail Blazers rank last (5.7).
Houston averages 13.1 second chance points per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Portland ranks last in second chance points allowed per game (15.5).
The Trail Blazers rank 14th in assists allowed per game (23.9) while the Rockets rank 27th (25.6).
Houston ranks 15th in points in the paint per game (47.7) while Portland ranks 27th (43.6).
The Trail Blazers rank 15th in fast break points per game (12.8) while the Rockets rank 27th in fast break points allowed per game (15.7).
Portland ranks second in blocks per game (6.4) while Houston ranks 13th (5.0).
In its last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Portland is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 122.2 points per game (9.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 125.0 points per game (10.1 above their season average).
