The Houston Rockets (26-13) welcome the Portland Trail Blazers (17-24) to Toyota Center as they try to extend their five-game home winning streak. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
Houston is an 8.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 236 points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets ATS Prediction
Although the Trail Blazers beat the Charlotte Hornets in their last matchup, 115-112, they were unable to cover as 9-point favorites. The game’s total points (227) were over the O/U total of 215.5. The Trail Blazers knocked down 15 of their 19 free throws (78.9 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.602 (above their season average of 0.514). With 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting, Damian Lillard was the top scorer from either team.
In the Rockets’ previous game, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 121-110. The game’s combined points (231) were just under the O/U total of 232. Memphis’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Houston. The Grizzlies posted a mark of 6.6 (better than their season average of 13.0), while the Rockets had a rate of 13.4. Houston’s James Harden put together a solid performance, leading both teams in scoring with 41 points on 13-for-37 shooting.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Russell Westbrook registered a triple-double. He put up 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists and the Rockets defeated the Trail Blazers 132-108, covering as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 240 points, which was 8.5 points above the projected point total of 231.5 points. The Rockets had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 vs. 22.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.210 vs. 0.177).
Portland heads into the contest with records of 17-24 straight up (SU) and 15-24-2 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Trail Blazers’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Houston owns records of 26-13 SU and 20-18 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Rockets are involved, as 21 of their 41 games have ended under the total.
Houston could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense squares off against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Rockets rank third in offensive efficiency, while Portland ranks 21st in defensive efficiency.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Betting Pick
NBA Prediction: ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Portland is 9-12-1 ATS on the road with 13 unders, 8 overs and 1 push.
Houston is 10-8 ATS at home with 10 overs and 8 unders.
When holding opponents under 100 points, Houston is 3-0 and Portland is 4-0.
When reaching 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 17-18 and the Rockets are 26-11.
Houston averages 47.3 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Portland ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
The Rockets rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (14.0).
Houston ranks 10th in steals per game (7.9) while Portland ranks last (5.9).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (44.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 21st in three pointers allowed per game (34.5).
Houston averages 13.5 second chance points per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Portland ranks last in second chance points allowed per game (15.7).
The Trail Blazers rank 12th in assists allowed per game (23.6) while the Rockets rank 28th (26.0).
Portland ranks second in blocks per game (6.4) while Houston ranks 17th (4.8).
The Trail Blazers rank 14th in fast break points per game (13.0) while the Rockets rank 29th in fast break points allowed per game (16.2).
Houston ranks 19th in points in the paint per game (47.1) while Portland ranks 29th (42.9).
Over its last five outings, Portland is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 2.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 116.2 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (0.7 below their season average).
