Trail Blazers vs. Rockets Pick
Will the Portland Trail Blazers keep it competitive tonight as a big underdog for its 8PM ET game at the Houston Rockets?
703 Portland Trail Blazers at 704 Houston Rockets, 8PM ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Rockets are a 10.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under sits at 213.5 points.
Bet NBA Action For Thursday, April 5, 2018
LINE MOVEMENT
Houston opened as a 9.5-point favorite on the spread line before the line moved up a point, while the total has gone down after opening at 214.5. The Rockets are a 10.5-point favorite at most sportsbooks, but are also available at -10. The total is 213.5 almost everywhere, but if you shop around it can also be bet at 213.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of Thursday afternoon, 52 percent of public bets are being placed on the visiting Trail Blazers. Online wager info also says that 57 percent of bets are siding with the over.
INJURY TO WATCH
Power forward Ed Davis (ankle) is questionable to play tonight. Point guard Damian Lillard (ankle) is doubtful. Small forward Maurice Harkless (knee) is out until mid-May. Shooting guard CJ Wilcox (knee) is out indefinitely. For Houston, Ryan Anderson (ankle) is doubtful.
BETTING STRATEGY
The spread is higher than it would be if Lillard was healthy. It’s a shame he’ll probably miss this game, because he’s the type of star player who can get red-hot and keep a team in a game against a strong opponent like Houston. The Rockets have won all three meetings this season, but have not beaten the Trail Blazers by double digits. I’m going to say that even without Lillard, Portland will keep this one close enough to cover. If CJ McCollum can have a strong game, anything is possble. And it’s not like Houston has anything to play for with the No. 1 seed clinched.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS +10.5