Trail Blazers vs Rockets Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Saturday, December 17th

Check out our free Trail Blazers vs Rockets pick and preview for this NBA game in Houston. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Trail Blazers vs Rockets NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
Where: Houston at Toyota Center
Date: Saturday, December 17th
Betting Odds HOU +3.5, POR -171 | HOU +138 O/U 227.5

The Trail Blazers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 16-13. So far, the team has gone 19-10-0 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Portland has an overall record of 2-1, including going 2-1 against the spread.

Portland is trying to bounce back from a 130-110 loss to the Mavericks. Going into this game, the team was 4 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. The game got away from Portland in the 2nd half, as the Mavericks extended their 9 point halftime lead to grab a 20 point win. In the loss, Damian Lillard led the team in scoring with 24 points on a field goal percentage of 42.9%.

The Rockets come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 9-19. So far, the team has gone 13-13-2 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Houston has an overall record of 2-1, including going 2-1 against the spread.

Not only did the Rockets drop their last game to the Heat. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 111-108 as 2 point underdogs. Even though Houston made a substantial comeback in the 2nd half, it was not enough to make up for their 14 point halftime deficit. In the loss, Jalen Green led the team in scoring with 22 points on a field goal percentage of 38.1%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I Similar to their season-long average, the Trail Blazers averaged 108.25 points per game vs the Rockets. Just like the Trail Blazers, the Rockets maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 110.5 points per game vs Portland. Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Portland has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 1 points per game separates the teams. The over-under record in these same games is 2-3, with the teams combining for an average of 221 points per game.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 29 games, the Trail Blazers are averaging 112.5 points per contest, placing them 17th in the NBA. So far, the Trail Blazers are averaging 97.3 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. Although the team tends to play at a more deliberate pace, they are currently one of the more efficient shooting teams, connecting on field goal attempts at a rate of 47.6%.

Against the Rockets, the Trail Blazers will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 27th in points allowed.

Shooting Guard Anfernee Simons currently leads the Trail Blazers at 23.0 points per game. For the season, he is 57th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 21.7% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Simons is averaging 3.0 boards and 4.4 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 20th ranked defense at defending shooting guards. Jerami Grant enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 28 games, he is averaging 21.9 and is 93rd in the league in player efficiency rating.

This season, the Houston offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 110.2 points per game. So far, the Rockets are averaging 99.3 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. A key aspect of the team’s offensive struggles is the fact that they not only play at a slow pace, but they struggle to score inside. Heading into today’s game, Houston is just 22nd in shots made inside the arc.

Currently, the Rockets defense is ranked 30th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 118.2 points per game vs the unit.

On offense, Jalen Green leads the Rockets in scoring at 21.8 points per game, placing him 33rd in the NBA. Overall, Green has hit 41.6% of his shots while accounting for 20.2% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 18th in points allowed to shooting guards. At 18.8 points per game, Kevin Porter Jr. is the 2nd leading scorer for the Rockets. For the season, he is 185th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 41.9%.