The Portland Trail Blazers (44-26) welcome the Houston Rockets (56-14) to Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, where both teams will will attempt to continue their winning streaks. The Trail Blazers are 4.5-point underdogs and have won 13 games in a row, while the Rockets are riding a five-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215.5 points and it can be seen on TNT at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
Both teams beat their last opponent. The Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 122-109, while the Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 129-120.
Houston dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.346 (above their season average of 0.240) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.654 (above their season average of 0.553). Minnesota put up marks of 0.233 and 0.581, respectively, for those same stats. The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, held the Clippers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below their season average of 23.0) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.576 (above their season average of 0.512). Portland received a boost from Jusuf Nurkic, who put up 17 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, James Harden played well for Houston, recording 34 points and 12 assists.
Portland could have difficulty getting to the charity stripe in this battle. The Trail Blazers rank 15th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.197, while Houston ranks fourth in FTA rate allowed (0.174).
Additionally, the Rockets’ second-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.555) will square off against the Trail Blazers’ fifth-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.502).A little over half of the Rockets’ games have finished under the total. Houston comes into the contest with records of 56-14 straight up (SU) and 37-32-1 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is known to place the total high when the Trail Blazers are involved, as 40 of their 70 games have gone under the projected point total. Moreover, Portland owns records of 44-26 SU and 39-25-6 ATS.
Nurkic has really been playing well recently for Portland, averaging 13.6 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games.
In their two matchups this season, the Rockets have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to score 233 points, well over the projected point total of 217. Houston won 121-112, covering as a 7-point favorite. Houston out-rebounded Portland. The Rockets had 17 offensive rebounds and 49 total rebounds, while the Trail Blazers had six and 40, respectively. Chris Paul put up a double-double in the victory with 37 points and 11 assists.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ATS Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets rank 15th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Trail Blazers rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
- Portland ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while Houston ranks 28th (48.2).
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (42.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 20th (27.7).
- Houston ranks 15th in fast break points per game (11.7) while Portland ranks last (7.8).
- Portland ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.2) while Houston ranks 11th (22.8).
- The Rockets rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (6.8).
- The Trail Blazers rank third in rebounds per game (45.4) while the Rockets rank 16th (43.4).
- Portland ranks eighth in second chance points per game (13.3) while Houston ranks 12th in second chance points allowed per game (11.9).
- Houston ranks eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.5) while Portland ranks 29th (14.4).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Portland is 23-5 and Houston is 26-2.
- When reaching the century mark, the Trail Blazers are 39-13 and the Rockets are 54-11.
- Portland is 20-13-3 ATS at home, while Houston is 24-13 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 22 of the Rockets’ 37 road games, while 20 of the Trail Blazers’ 36 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Trail Blazers are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Portland has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Houston has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.4, up from 3.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 110.2 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.4 points per game (6.3 below their season average).
