Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers ATS Prediction 01/05/19

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The Houston Rockets (22-15) and the Portland Trail Blazers (22-17) go head-to-head at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Rockets are a 1-point favorite and look to extend their six-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 216.5 points and it can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ATS Odds

In the Rockets’ last game, they just got past the Golden State Warriors, 135-134, as 9-point underdogs. The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, were topped by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-109, and were unable to cover as 1-point underdogs. The Houston game finished 43.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5, while the Portland game went 9.5 points under the projected point total of 229.5.

Houston dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.242 (above their season average of 0.221) and a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 12.5). For those same stats, Golden State was 0.137 and 11.4, respectively. Portland, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.479 vs. 0.468). Al-Farouq Aminu had a good outing for Portland, recording 16 points and 15 rebounds. James Harden, meanwhile led the way for Houston with 44 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds to notch his fourth triple-double of the season.

The Rockets had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 111-104 victory, to even the season series at one. Despite the loss, Damian Lillard was the game’s leading scorer with 34 points. The Rockets’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Trail Blazers. Houston had a rate of 6.7, while Portland posted a mark of 12.7. Houston covered as a 7-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 215 points, which was just under the projected point total of 220.

Of the Rockets’ 37 games, 20 have finished over the total. Houston comes into the contest with records of 22-15 straight up (SU) and 19-17-1 against the spread (ATS).

Of the Trail Blazers’ 38 games that accepted bets, 21 have finished under the total. Further, Portland owns records of 22-17 SU and 19-19 ATS.

The Rockets’ Harden has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 42 points,8.4 assists,6.2 rebounds,1.8 steals per game. Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic has averaged 19 points,12.4 rebounds,4.6 assists,1.6 steals,1.6 blocks during that same time frame for the Trail Blazers.

The offensive glass could be a major edge for Portland in this battle. The Trail Blazers are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking eighth in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.9 percent. Meanwhile, Houston ranks 25th in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.7 percent. Also, the Rockets rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.221), while the Trail Blazers rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.180).

Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Free Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Rockets rank 5 in assists allowed per game (22.486486486486488) while the Trail Blazers rank 14 (23.923076923076923).
  • Portland ranks third in rebounds per game (48.5) while Houston ranks 25th (42.3).
  • The Rockets rank 11th in blocks allowed per game (4.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (5.7).
  • Houston ranks 15th in steals per game (7.8) while Portland ranks 28th (6.6).
  • Portland ranks 4 in points off turnovers allowed per game (15) while Houston ranks 15 (16.864864864864863).
  • The Trail Blazers rank eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (46.3) while the Rockets rank 26th (51.9).
  • The Rockets average 13.891891891891891 second chance points per game, which ranks 9 in the NBA. The Trail Blazers rank 22 in second chance points allowed per game (14).
  • Houston ranks 16 in fast break points per game (11.81081081081081) while Portland ranks 24 in fast break points allowed per game (14.871794871794872).
  • Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.9) while Portland ranks 17th (30.5).
  • When holding opponents under 100 points, Portland is 7-1 and Houston is 6-2.
  • The Trail Blazers are 21-12 when they reach the century mark, while the Rockets are 20-8.
  • Portland is 12-8 ATS at home, while Houston is 8-11 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone under in 10 of the Rockets’ 19 road games, while 12 of the Trail Blazers’ 20 home games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Rockets are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Trail Blazers are 3-2.
  • In their last five games, Houston has 4 overs and 1 under, while Portland has 5 unders.
  • The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.0, up from 1.5 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 113.2 points per game (1.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.6 points per game (2.9 below their season average).