NBA Odds Today: Rockets vs Trail Blazers Betting Pick

If the Houston Rockets have any chance of earning a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, they can’t afford a loss Friday at tanking and injury-ravaged Portland – but the Rockets have been terrible on the road all season. They are still solid favorites on the NBA odds.

2024 NBA Expert Analysis Houston vs Portland | MyBookie Sportsbook NBA Week 19

How to Bet Rockets at Trail Blazers NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 10 PM ET
Where: Moda Center
TV: NBA League Pass
Stream: NBA.com, NBA TV app
Radio: Tunein.com

Why Bet on Houston Rockets?

Jabari Smith Jr.’s 3-pointer got the Rockets within 2 with less than two minutes to go. Norman Powell made one of two free throws for the Clippers before Alperen Sengun missed two free throws with just over a minute remaining to leave Houston down 115-112.

Fred VanVleet got a technical with 48 seconds left arguing about a foul called on Sengun on a shot attempt by George. He made all three free throws to extend the lead to 118-112 and that was that.

“In the first half it was like we were running in mud,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We couldn’t keep up with them. They got out in transition and we just couldn’t get back and get matched. So at halftime we made a strong point about that.”

Smith took the court Wednesday despite entering the contest questionable due to illness for Houston and had 19 points. Smith matched a season-high total in threes made with four, a feat he has now accomplished six times. Smith has recorded at least 19 points in 12 outings, including in four of his last 10 contests. Rookie Cam Whitmore had 17 points off the bench and has recorded at least 15 points in 12 games this year.

Bet Rockets to Win
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Week 19 Vegas Picks NBA Odds Subject to Change	SPREAD	MONEYLINE	TOTAL
Portland	+6	+185	O 219
Houston	-6	-230	U 219

Why Bet on Portland Trail Blazers?

Portland lost a second straight game Wednesday, 128-120 at home to Oklahoma City. The Blazers closed the OKC lead to 112-107 on Anfernee Simons’ layup before Matisse Thybulle’s 3-pointer got the Blazers within two with 4:05 left. However, the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams ended the threat with a 3-pointer that made it 116-110.

“Give them a lot of credit, I thought they really fought tonight — which they’ve been doing lately, they’ve got the fifth-best defense in the league in the last 10 games and their competitiveness and physicality definitely showed tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of Portland “It was a good test for us.”

Simons led the way with 29 points. Simons has been on a tear over their last three games and is averaging 31.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 4.7 triples during this short stretch. His field goal percentage has been poor this season (43%), but he has shot at least 50% in his last two games. Wednesday was Simons’ 51st career game with at least five made three-pointers, ranking third in Trail Blazers history.

The Blazers saw the return of Jerami Grant (right quad) and Thybulle (left hip), who both missed Monday. Center Deandre Ayton (sprained right wrist) and Toumani Camara (illness) were ruled out before the game. Ayton has missed four games in a row.

On Friday, the team looks to snap an eight-game home losing streak. Simons has recorded 30-plus points in his last three games against Houston.

Bet Portland to Win
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