Both teams will attempt to continue their winning streaks as the Portland Trail Blazers (44-26) challenge the Houston Rockets (56-14) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers are riding a 13-game winning streak, while the Rockets have won five games in a row. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, and will air on TNT.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 215.5 points with Houston opening as a 4.5-point favorite.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ATS Prediction
In the Rockets’ last matchup, they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 129-120. The Rockets knocked down 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.654 (above their season average of 0.553). With 34 points on 9-for-18 shooting, James Harden was the game’s leading scorer.
The Trail Blazers were victorious over the Los Angeles Clippers in their last contest, 122-109. Portland’s 21.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Los Angeles, who had a mark of 17.0. The Trail Blazers’ mark was below their season average of 23.0, while the Clippers’ was below their season average of 23.0. With 17 points and 12 rebounds, Jusuf Nurkic put together a good game for Portland.
Getting to the line could be rare for Portland in this meeting. The Trail Blazers currently rank 15th in the NBA 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).
Houston holds records of 56-14 straight up (SU) and 37-32-1 against the spread (ATS). Rockets games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (54.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Portland owns records of 44-26 SU and 39-25-6 ATS. Trail Blazers games tend to go under the total (57.1 percent).
Nurkic has averaged 13.6 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games for Portland.
The Rockets have emerged victorious in both matchups against the Trail Blazers this year, including a nine-point victory the last time these teams met. Houston covered as a 7-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 233 points, which was 16 points above the projected point total of 217 points. Houston had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 15.8). Portland, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (23-32; 71.9 percent). Chris Paul recorded a double-double with 37 points and 11 assists.
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 24-13 ATS on the road with 22 unders, 14 overs and 1 push.
At home, Portland is 20-13-3 ATS with 20 unders and 16 overs.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Portland is 23-5 and Houston is 26-2.
The Rockets are 54-11 when they reach the century mark, while the Trail Blazers are 39-13.
Portland ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while Houston ranks 28th (48.2).
The Rockets rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 26th (6.8).
Houston ranks eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.5) while Portland ranks 29th (14.4).
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).
The Trail Blazers rank third in rebounds per game (45.4) while the Rockets rank 16th (43.4).
Portland ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.2) while Houston ranks 11th (22.8).
The Rockets average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
Portland ranks eighth in second chance points per game (13.3) while Houston ranks 12th in second chance points allowed per game (11.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Portland is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.8, up from 8.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (9.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.6 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
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