The Houston Rockets (63-15) look to continue their 19-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers (48-30) at Toyota Center. The game can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets Free Prediction
The last time the Trail Blazers played, they were topped by the Dallas Mavericks, 115-109. Dallas’ 6.5 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Portland, who had a mark of 11.8. The Mavericks’ mark was better than their season average of 11.3. Damian Lillard was the game’s high scorer with 29 points on 6-for-20 shooting.
The Rockets were victorious over the Washington Wizards in their last contest, 120-104. Houston’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Rockets had 10 offensive rebounds and 46 total rebounds, while the Wizards had three and 36, respectively. James Harden was the top scorer from either team with 38 points on 12-for-18 shooting.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a balanced matchup. The sweet-shooting Houston offense ranks second in the league in that metric at 0.552, while the top-notch Portland defense is ranked fifth in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.504).
Portland comes into the contest with records of 48-30 straight up (SU) and 43-28-7 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Trail Blazers have typically gone under the total (55.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Houston owns records of 63-15 SU and 41-35-2 ATS. Games involving the Rockets also tend to finish under the projected point total (55.1 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Jusuf Nurkic (16.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.8 steals) has been great for the Trail Blazers while Gerald Green (15.8 points) has contributed greatly to the Rockets.
The Rockets have won all three contests against the Trail Blazers this season, including a four-point victory in their last matchup. Houston covered as a 4-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 8 points above the projected point total of 218 points. Houston was lights out from beyond the arc (19-36; 52.8 percent). Portland, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (24.4 vs. 17.1). In the victory, Harden led all scorers with 42 points.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 21-14-3 ATS with 22 unders and 16 overs.
Houston is 17-21-1 ATS at home with 20 unders and 19 overs.
Houston is 30-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Portland is 25-5.
The Rockets are 61-11 when they score more than 100 points, while the Trail Blazers are 43-17.
Portland ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while Houston ranks 28th (48.1).
The Rockets rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (17.5) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (14.1).
Houston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.6) while Portland ranks 24th (6.9).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (42.3) while the Trail Blazers rank 18th (28.2).
Houston ranks 16th in fast break points per game (11.4) while Portland ranks last (8.1).
The Trail Blazers rank fourth in rebounds per game (45.4) while the Rockets rank 18th (43.5).
Portland ranks second in assists allowed per game (20.2) while Houston ranks 11th (22.5).
The Rockets average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
Portland averages 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Houston ranks 12th in second chance points allowed per game (11.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.4, up from 2.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 108.6 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.4 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
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