Houston Rockets at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/20/2018

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 56-14. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.9 as they are averaging 113.6 points per game while giving up 104.7 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 44-26. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.0 points per contest and giving up 103.0, which is a point differential of 3.0.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 37-32-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 30-39-1 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 39-28-3 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 29-41-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/19/18 G James Harden Hand is probable Tuesday vs Portland

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul averages 18.7 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%. Eric Gordon comes into this contest averaging 18 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 2.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%.

Player Spotlight

C.J. McCollum averages 21.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 84%. Damian Lillard averages 26.7 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 104.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.2 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 22.8 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league. Houston averages 113.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.91 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 43.4 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 13.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers surrender 103 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 2nd with 20.2 assists allowed per contest, and 15th with 42.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game this season. Portland is 15th in the league with 106 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.03. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game and 30th in assists per contest with 19.4. The Blazers are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 116, and their defensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league. The Blazers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.3, and their defensive rating of 106.1 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 18th in the league with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Blazers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Portland +4

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