The Houston Rockets start their season on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers (1-0) at the Moda Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rockets-Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Rockets at Trail Blazers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:49 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Trail Blazers -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rockets +7.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 225.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rockets at Trail Blazers: Key Injuries
Rockets
- C DeMarcus Cousins (COVID-19 protocols) out
- SG Eric Gordon (COVID-19 protocols) out
- SF Kenyon Martin Jr. (COVID-19 protocols) out
- SG Ben McLemore (COVID-19 protocols) out
- PG John Wall (COVID-19 protocols) out
Trail Blazers
- C Zach Collins (ankle) out
- SF Nassir Little (COVID-19 protocols) out
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Rockets at Trail Blazers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Trail Blazers 124, Rockets 113
Money line (ML)
PASS. Given its situation, there’s no way I’d take Houston to pull off an upset and it’s not a profitable strategy betting huge NBA regular-season favorites on the money line.
Against the spread (ATS)
What should be an exciting Western Conference primetime game pitting two playoff contenders with perennial All-Star guards has been marred by COVID-19 protocols.
Houston had its opening night home game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder postponed because the Rockets didn’t have a minimum of eight active players due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.
The Trail Blazers got boat raced in their first game 120-100 at home by the Utah Jazz. Portland’s biggest deficit was 31 points, and the Trail Blazers hit seven fewer 3-pointers and were outrebounded 65-49. PG Damian Lillard struggled to get going, scoring just nine points on 4-of-12 shooting and made just 1 of 7 3-point attempts.
It’s tough putting any stock in previous Rockets-Trail Blazers meetings since Houston moved on from former head coach Mike D’Antoni to Stephen Silas. Say what you will about D’Antoni never winning an NBA title, the Rockets won the Southwest Division three of four seasons under D’Antoni and finished at least 16 games above-.500 each season.
The Rockets will take a step back in 2020-21 and, without several of their key players Saturday, will start the season off on a losing note. Take TRAIL BLAZERS -7.5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The recent total trends in Rockets-Trail Blazers games are bringing the total down. Seven of their previous eight meetings have gone Under the total. Trail Blazers home games are typically high scoring. Portland has gone Over the total in four of its last five as a home favorite and is 36-27-1 O/U as a home favorite since 2018.
I just “lean” OVER 225.5 (-110) only because we have no idea what kind of Houston team we are getting with just nine players available and a new head coach.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Wall, Cousins, Gordon likely to return Wednesday (Rockets Wire)
- Trail Blazers rumors (Hoops Hype)
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