The Houston Rockets will take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Rockets-Trail Blazers prediction and pick.
This is one of the few games on the Friday slate that doesn't mean a whole lot. The Rockets, owners of an 18-55 record, haven't played a meaningful game all season long.
The Trail Blazers are finishing up one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent memory, as they've posted a 27-45 record on the year. Neither team is playing for the postseason, but there's still money to be made on this game. Let's cut to the chase and get into the pick.
Here are the Rockets-Trail Blazers NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Rockets-Trail Blazers Odds
Houston Rockets: -3.5 (-112)
Portland Trail Blazers: +3.5 (-108)
Over: 234.5 (-110)
Under: 234.5 (-110)
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Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
Despite their record, the Rockets haven't been completely terrible on offense. They score an average of 108 points per game on mediocre shooting, including a 54% shooting percentage from inside the arc. These aren't great offensive numbers, but they aren't terrible either. The Trail Blazers' defensive numbers are truly terrible. Portland ranks inside the bottom three in the league in nearly every single important defensive stat, including field goal percentage allowed, shooting efficiency allowed, and points per game. Pretty much anyone in the league has been able to score on the Blazers, and that won't change in this matchup.
The Blazers will be missing two members of their already-thin lineup. Shooting guard Josh Hart and forward Justise Winslow have both been ruled out of this contest, leaving Portland with one of the worst starting fives in the NBA. Head coach Chauncey Billups will likely be forced to start Kris Dunn, CJ Elleby, Elijah Hughes, Trendon Watford, and Drew Eubanks. Casual NBA fans probably don't recognize half the names Portland will rely on as starters here.
Why The Trail Blazers Could Cover The Spread
Luckily for the Blazers, the Rockets have been equally awful on defense. Houston allows a whopping 118 points per game, the worst number in the NBA. They also allow their opponents to shoot an insane 48% from the field, another number that's the worst in the league. The Rockets have allowed 120 points or more in four of their last six games, including contests against the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans. This is a flat-out horrible defensive team that the Blazers may be able to hang with.
Home-court advantage should give Portland a boost here. The Blazers haven't been good at home, but they do own a 47% win percentage in their own arena as opposed to a 27% win percentage anywhere else. The Rockets have similar numbers, sporting a 30% winning percentage at home and an abysmal 18% winning percentage on the road. It's clear that the Trail Blazers are far more comfortable in the Moda Center, which could give them the advantage they need.
Final Rockets-Trail Blazers Prediction & Pick
It's just impossible to confidently pick Portland here. They may be at home, but they're also one of the worst rosters in the league. It doesn't help that they're missing two of their best players. Take Houston to win and cover.
Final Rockets-Trail Blazers Pick: Houston Rockets: -3.5 (-112)
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