Offense meets defense when the Houston Rockets (19-4) travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers (13-11). The game will air on ATTSN Southwest at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 211 points with Houston opening as a 9-point favorite.
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
In the Rockets’ last outing, they beat the Utah Jazz, 112-101. Houston’s 22.2 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Utah, who had a mark of 9.5. The Rockets’ mark was below their season average of 22.4, while the Jazz’s was below their season average of 20.5. Chris Paul fueled Houston with 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds.
The Trail Blazers lost to the Washington Wizards in their last contest, 106-92. Washington’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Portland. The Wizards had a rate of 9.5 (better than their season average of 12.4), while the Trail Blazers posted a mark of 17.1 (above their season average of 12.9). Damian Lillard had a solid performance for Portland, leading the team in scoring with 30 points on 10-for-23 shooting.
This matchup figures to be low-scoring as a pair of the NBA’s premier defenses square off. Portland ranks second in defensive efficiency (101.0) and Houston is fifth (101.6).
Houston heads into the game with records of 19-4 straight up (SU) and 14-9 against the spread (ATS). Of the Rockets’ 23 games, 13 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Portland is 13-11 SU and 8-13-3 ATS. Trail Blazers games also have a tendency to finish under the total (70.8 percent).
After the Rockets won two out of three meetings against the Trail Blazers last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last game, Portland won 117-107. Portland had a better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 15.1). Houston, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 27.5).
Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 9-3 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 5 overs.
At home, Portland is 3-9-2 ATS with 11 unders and 3 overs.
Houston is 9-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Portland is 9-3.
When scoring over 100 points, the Rockets are 19-2 and the Trail Blazers are 11-4.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (44.0) while Portland ranks 27th (24.2).
The Rockets rank third in steals per game (9.2) while the Trail Blazers rank 27th (6.5).
Houston ranks fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while Portland ranks 27th (14.6).
The Rockets rank ninth in assists per game (23.0) while the Trail Blazers rank last (18.2).
Houston ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.9) while Portland ranks 29th in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
The Rockets rank 12th in fast break points per game (11.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (4.1).
Portland ranks third in rebounds per game (46.9) while Houston ranks 11th (44.8).
The Rockets rank 19th in points in the paint per game (41.4) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (40.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Portland is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.8, up from 11.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 102.0 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.6 points per game (5.3 above their season average).
