The Portland Trail Blazers (15-11) will travel to the Toyota Center to clash with the Houston Rockets (11-14). The Rockets opened as 6-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219 points and it will air on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets ATS Odds
In the Trail Blazers’ last matchup, they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-105, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The Rockets, meanwhile, were topped by the Dallas Mavericks, 107-104, and were not able to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The Portland game went 2.5 points under the projected point total of 220.5, while the Houston game finished 8 points under the projected point total of 219.
Portland played a nearly flawless game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 31.8 (above their season average of 26.2) and a free throw rate of 0.301 (above their season average of 0.210). For those same stats, Minnesota was 20.4 and 0.198, respectively. Houston, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 14.3). Houston was led by James Harden, who finished with 35 points and eight assists. Jusuf Nurkic was a key piece for Portland with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Nurkic led the Trail Blazers to a 104-85 win. He notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Portland covered as a 5-point underdog and the two teams combined to put up 189 points, which was well under the projected point total of 223.5. Converting at the free throw line was one of Portland’s largest strengths. They were 20-23 (87.0 percent), while the Rockets were just 13-23 (56.5 percent).
Just over half of the Trail Blazers’ games have finished over the total. Portland heads into the game with records of 15-11 straight up (SU) and 13-13 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas is known to set the total low when the Rockets are involved, as 56.0 percent of their games have ended over the total. Additionally, Houston is 11-14 SU and 9-16 ATS.
Houston may have trouble getting to the foul line in this showdown. The Rockets currently rank 13th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.204, while Portland ranks third in FTA rate allowed (0.174). Also, the Trail Blazers, who rank third in offensive rebounding percentage (26.4 percent), will try to take advantage of the Rockets, who rank 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.5 percent).
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Trail Blazers rank 9 in second chance points per game (14.423076923076923) while the Rockets rank 21 in second chance points allowed per game (14.12).
- Portland ranks second in rebounds per game (49.5) while Houston ranks 26th (40.9).
- The Rockets rank second in assists allowed per game (21.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 18th (24.0).
- Portland ranks 10th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.6) while Houston ranks 25th (51.0).
- Houston ranks 1 in three pointers attempted per game (42.24) while Portland ranks 15 (31.576923076923077).
- The Rockets average 5.9 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Trail Blazers rank 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.7).
- The Rockets rank 13 in steals per game (7.96) while the Trail Blazers rank 27 (6.5).
- Houston ranks 5 in fast break points allowed per game (10.96) while Portland ranks 14 (13.576923076923077).
- Portland ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.3) while Houston ranks 20th (17.9).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Portland is 5-0 and Houston is 4-2.
- When reaching the century mark, the Rockets are 9-8 and the Trail Blazers are 15-9.
- Portland is 4-8 ATS on the road, while Houston is 4-6 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the Trail Blazers’ 12 road games, while 7 of the Rockets’ 10 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Portland and Houston are both 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Trail Blazers\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 1.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
