NBA Predictions: Will Red-Hot Blazers pull off upset vs. Rockets? 3/20/18

Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction

Will the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers pull off a small upset tonight when they take on the dominant Houston Rockets at 10:30 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

(663) Houston Rockets at (664) Portland Trail Blazers

Monday, March 20, 2018

TV: TNT, 10:30 p.m. ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Trail Blazers are 4.5-point home underdogs to beat the Rockets, while the over/under sits at 215.5 points for tonight's game.

Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games

LINE MOVEMENT

Houston opened as a 4-point road favorite in this matchup but the line has climbed to 4.5 at the majority of online sportsbooks. As for the total, it opened at 216 but was bet down to 215.5 online.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of this writing, 58% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Trail Blazers to cover the point spread. Meanwhile, 93% of the betting tickets are currently on the over.

KEY INJURY TO WATCH

James Harden (hand) is probable to play for the Rockets but they'll be without Brandan Wright, who remains out with a knee injury. On the other side, Shabazz Napier (toe) is questionable to play for the Trail Blazers.

BETTING STRATEGY

I fully admit I'm thinking like a public bettor here but I like taking the points with the red-hot home team. The Trail Blazers are a perfect 8-0 against the spread in their last eight games when facing an opponent with a winning record. They're also 13-2-1 against the number in their last 16 conference games, and are 16-4-1 at the betting window in their last 21 games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Speaking of which, the Rockets are just 3-12-1 against the spread in their last 16 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous contest.

 

OUR PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS +4.5