Houston (29-17) at Portland (20-27)
When: Wednesday, January 29th, 2020
Where: Moda Center,
Portland, OR
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Houston -1.5/235.5
The Houston Rockets are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season and look for a winning road trip when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night on ESPN. Houston beating Utah 126-117 might not seem like a big deal, but it not only was a road game, but they did it without superstars James Harden (thigh) and Russell Westbrook (rest). The two guards were out of the lineup and Harden will be re-evaluated Wednesday, while Westbrook is expected to play. Reserve guard Eric Gordon stepped in for the two stars and recorded a career-high 50 points in the win over the Jazz. His 50 points is nothing compared to what Portland guard Damian Lillard has been doing recently. Lillard put on another show Sunday when he poured in 50 points himself in the team’s 139-129 home win over the Indiana Pacers. That makes it 158 points for Lillard over the last three games with outings of 61 and 47 prior to Sunday’s outburst. The Blazers are 2.5 games behind Memphis for the eighth spot in the West, while Houston is tied for fifth with the Dallas Mavericks. The teams split the first two meetings this season in Houston with the Blazers winning the most recent encounter 117-107 on Jan. 15.
With Westbrook back in the lineup on Wednesday, he’ll be putting his streak of scoring 20 or more points in 20 consecutive games, including 30 or more in seven of his past eight. The now-healthy Gordon gives Houston the opportunity to rest Harden or Westbrook on given nights. Gordon was all over the court on Monday, hitting 14-of-22 from the field and 16-of-20 from the foul line. Danuel House, Jr. and Austin Rivers each chipped in 21 points in starting roles, while small forward P.J. Tucker had nine points and 10 rebounds. Houston opens a three-game homestand on Friday versus Dallas.
Lillard’s teammate CJ McCollum scored a quiet 28 points against Indiana after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury and is averaging 21.6 on the season. Lillard is third in the NBA at 28.8 and that is on pace to be a career-best. He made eight three-pointers on Sunday and the Blazers recorded a season-high for points while winning for just the second time in five games. Center Hassan Whiteside recorded another double-double with 21 points and 15 boards and is averaging an NBA third-best 14.0 rebounds per contest. Portland will be at Staples Center Friday for the first Lakers game since the death of Kobe Bryant. Should be an emotional night.
Portland is playing better but are still too inconsistent for me to take here and aren’t very good at home – 11-11 SU, 7-13-2 ATS. The Blazers are also surrendering 125 points a game over their last five and Houston should be able to reach that mark tonight.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 50-43-3 on the season!
Pick: Rockets -1.5
Rockets are 22-45-1 ATS in their last 68 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Trail Blazers are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 4-12-2 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Trail Blazers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win.
Trail Blazers are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games as an underdog.
Trail Blazers are 1-6-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Trail Blazers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.
Trail Blazers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Trail Blazers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Trail Blazers are 0-5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home underdog.
Under is 7-1 in Rockets last 8 Wednesday games.
Under is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 road games.
Over is 5-0 in Trail Blazers last 5 overall.
Over is 5-0 in Trail Blazers last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Trail Blazers last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-0 in Trail Blazers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-0 in Trail Blazers last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Trail Blazers last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 6-1 in Trail Blazers last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last 5 games as a home underdog.
Over is 19-7 in Trail Blazers last 26 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 35-16-1 in Trail Blazers last 52 home games.
Rockets are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Portland.
Rockets are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings in Portland.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
