The Portland Trail Blazers (30-33) face the Houston Rockets (38-23) Friday. Tip-off from Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Trail Blazers vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Blazers lead 2-1. Houston won 140-116 Nov. 14, covering at home as 7.5-point favorites with the Over (236,5) hitting. The Blazers then won back-to-back home games Jan. 7 and 9, first winning 103-102 as 7.5-point underdogs and the 111-105 as 6.5-point. The Under (221.5 each game) hit in both.
The Blazers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122-114 on Wednesday, failing to cover as 9.5-point road favorites while the Over 231.5 covered. Portland All-Star F Deni Avdija was out, and he’s doubtful for this one. G Jrue Holiday turned back the clock with 35 points on 8-for-11 shooting from downtown and F Jerami Grant aided him with 30 points and 9 boards in the win.
The Rockets fell to the Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors 115-113 in overtime Thursday, failing to cover as 9.5-point home faves as the Over 214.5 hit. F Kevin Durant had 23 points, but G Reed Sheppard led the way with 30 points off the bench. Houston has dropped 2 of 3 and failed to cover in all three.
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Trail Blazers at Rockets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Trail Blazers +195 (bet $100 to win $195) | Rockets -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Trail Blazers +6.5 (-120) | Rockets +5.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Trail Blazers at Rockets key injuries
Trail Blazers
- F Deni Avdija (back) doubtful
- G Damian Lillard (Achilles) out
- F Kris Murray (illness) questionable
- G Shaedon Sharpe (leg) out
Rockets
- C Steven Adams (ankle) out
- F Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) questionable
- F Jae’Sean Tate (knee) out
- G Amen Thompson (ankle) questionable
- G Fred VanVleet (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Trail Blazers at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 118, Trail Blazers 113
There’s no play here with the Rockets on a back-to-back and the Blazers likely without their best player.
Instead, take KEVIN DURANT OVER 2.5 MADE 3-POINTERS (-105). He has hit a trio of 3s in back-to-back games straight and 3+ in 2 of 3 meetings against Portland this season.
Take TRAIL BLAZERS +6.5 (-120). The Blazers have remained surprisingly close to .500 this season and are 5-5 ATS their last 10.
The Blazers are 7-3 O/U in their last 10; the Rockets are 5-5. However, Houston is 5-1 O/U in its last 6 and Portland has cashed 2 straight Overs.
At this total, go OVER 220.5 (-110).
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