The Portland Trail Blazers (30-27) will attempt to keep their six-game winning streak alive when they take on the Houston Rockets (28-29) at the Moda Center. Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 25 and can be seen on RSW, CNW and TNT.
The Trail Blazers enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Nets 112-104 on Tuesday. C.J. McCollum played a pivotal role with 34 points, six assists, and five rebounds. The Rockets, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 117-114 loss against the Jazz on Tuesday. James Harden led the game in scoring with 42 points.
McCollum and Damian Lillard have been better than usual over the last five games for the Trail Blazers. During that stretch, McCollum has averaged 24.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers, while Lillard has recorded 35.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.6 steals, and 4.8 three-pointers a game. Harden has been hot for the Rockets. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 34.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.2 three-pointers.
The Trail Blazers could dominate the offensive glass in this matchup, as they’re ranked third in the league in offensive rebound percentage at 26.8%. Alternatively, Houston ranks 30th in the NBA on the defensive backboards with a defensive rebound percentage of 72.9%. Also, the offense of the Rockets seems ready to earn plenty of trips to the line. They rank first in the NBA in free throw attempt rate (36.4), while the Trail Blazers are among the league’s most foul-happy teams (allowing a 27th-ranked mark of 31.5).
The Trail Blazers lead the season series against the Rockets two games to one, including a 116-103 win the last time these two teams met. Harden had a double-double in the loss with 34 points and 11 assists.
Notes
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Portland Trail Blazers are a formidable 16-4. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Houston Rockets have an abysmal record of 2-13.
The Portland Trail Blazers have a losing 14-23 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Houston Rockets are 26-16 when they hit triple digits.
The Rockets have a defensive rating of 107.0 (ranked 26th). The Trail Blazers rank seventh for their offensive rating of 105.7.
Portland averages fewer possessions per game than Houston, with 97.9 compared to 100.4. However, the Trail Blazers score an average of 1.057 points per possession, more than the 1.049 that the Rockets score.
Portland is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 50.9% (ranked ninth in the NBA). Houston is a subpar 10-21 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Portland Trail Blazers attempt 28.0 three point field goals per game and the Houston Rockets attempt 31.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Portland has a 25-18 record and Houston has a 23-25 record.
The Portland Trail Blazers, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.51, rank 21st in the NBA. The Houston Rockets have a lower A/TO (1.38), ranking 26th.
Portland ranks near the top of the NBA for rebounds at fifth (45.8 per game), while Houston ranks 24th with 42.6 per game.
The Houston Rockets rank seventh in offensive rebounding, while the Portland Trail Blazers rank 10th in defensive rebounding.
Houston is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.7% (ranked sixth). Portland has a poor record of 6-13 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 15.7% or greater.
