Blazers vs Rockets 1/15/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs Houston Rockets

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 236

CJ McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers (17-24, 4th in the Northwest Division) go to Toyota Center on Wednesday where they'll take on the Houston Rockets (26-12, 1st in the Southwest Division). Houston opens this matchup as 7.5 point favorites. The total is set at 236.

The Blazers are covering the spread 38.5% of the time, having gone 15-24-2 ATS. Houston is covering 50.0% of the time, going 19-19-0 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/25/19 PF Zach Collins Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
10/19/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg is out indefinitely
01/05/20 PF Skal Labissiere Knee is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

01/13/20 C Clint Capela Heel is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Memphis
01/13/20 SF PJ Tucker Shoulder is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Memphis
01/13/20 PG Russell Westbrook Rest is out Tuesday vs Memphis

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum comes into this contest averaging 21.9 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Damian Lillard averages 26.8 points per game in 36.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.6 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 37.7 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.2 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 24.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 7.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 111.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 45.9 rebounds per game and 19.7 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 13.1 per game. The Blazers allow 113.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 23.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 1st in the league with 119.2 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 5.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.5 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Rockets are 13th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Rockets surrender 113.7 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.9 assists allowed per contest and 21st with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 21st. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league. Portland is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.2, and their offensive rating of 114.4 is ranked 15th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -7.5

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