Pro Hoops on Friday and we will see the Houston Rockets travel to the northwest to take on the Portland Trailblazers. The game is scheduled for a 10:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised ESPN. Currently the Odds for the game have Houston favored by 6 points while the total sits at 207.5.
Analysis: The Houston Rockets look to extend their winning streak to four games and maintain their seventh position in the Western Conference when they visit the fading Portland Trail Blazers. While Portland has fallen out of the playoff race with six straight losses, Houston is three games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and one behind sixth-place Golden State with seven games to play. The Rockets have dropped two of the first three meetings with the Trail Blazers, including two overtime losses in November. Houston moved a season-best nine games over .500 with a 112-102 victory at Sacramento on Wednesday. Rookie Terrence Jones recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jones has shuttled back and forth between Houston and the D-League all season, but he may have earned a longer look with Wednesday’s performance. James Harden had 21 points in 40 minutes against the Kings after missing two games with a sore right foot.
Portland expects to have LaMarcus Aldridge back in the lineup after the All-Star power forward was forced to miss the last four games with a sprained right ankle. Aldridge leads the Trail Blazers in scoring (21) and blocks (88) and ranks second in rebounding (8.9). The news is not as promising for small forward Nicolas Batum, who is listed as doubtful after suffering a labral tear in his right shoulder on Monday against Utah. Aldridge is averaging 29 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games against Houston this season, while point guard Damian Lillard is averaging 21.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Lillard, who is running away with the Rookie of the Year award, leads the league in minutes played (2,889). If Batum’s injury causes him to miss the season’s remaining seven games, rookie big men Meyers Leonard and Victor Claver figure to receive even more playing time.
Pick: I am looking to take the Under in this one. Houston road games have averaged 206 ppg, but I just don't see that happening in this one, especially since the Blazers can't score right now. Portland has averaged 91.2 ppg in their last 6 overall and just 88 ppg in their last 3 games at home. I know they should have Aldridge back for this one, but he could be a bit rusty and won't really help this offense. Houston is playing a bit more defense of late, allowing just 94.4 ppg in their last 8 games. Portland's defense has been porous of late, but I believe that Aldridge will help them more on that end of the floor. The Blazers do allow just 97.8 ppg at home and should come up with enough stops to keep Houston from going buckwild in this one. I look for this one to finish around 202.
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