Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Preview | Handicapping | Betting Odds Feb. 8

The Blazers are coming off a rare home loss to the Thunder when the refs blew a call and to get back in the W column they will have to beat the Rockets, who are coming off a win and are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

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Houston Rockets (14-11) at Portland Blazers (14-11)
When: 10 PM ET, Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Where: Rose Garden, Portland, OR
Broadcast: NBA TV
Rockets vs. Blazers Betting Lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: Blazers -7
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 197.5
*NBA ATS Matchup Report*

These teams met in Houston a few weeks back where the Blazers lost to the Rockets 107-105 in OT. Portland was dominated on the boards in that game and they will have to hit the glass tonight facing as Houston team that ranks 5th in the league in rebounds per game.

That may be harder since leading rebounder Marcus Camby is a question mark for tonight’s game with an illness.

The Rockets will have to win this game with their offense, which ranks 7th in the league in scoring, as their D only ranks 19th in opponents’ points allowed.

Nicolas Batum has been on fire since missing 3 games with a knee injury with 46 points in his last 6 games. He and LaMarcus Aldridge, who is coming off a 39-point game against the Thunder, have to play well on offense and Aldridge really has to rebound well, especially if Camby cannot go.

The Blazers only hit 5/20 of their 3-pointers in the loss to the Thunder with Jamal Crawford and Wesley Matthews only coming on 4/11 of their long bombs. Batum has been scoring, but was only 1/6 behind the 3-pt arc in the loss to OKC.

Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Lines & Handicapping

The Blazers must play good perimeter D in this game facing the solid Rockets’ backcourt duo of Kevin Martin (19.3 ppg) and Kyle Lowry (14.9 ppg).

Martin scored 28 points in Houston’s defeat of Portland earlier this season.

Portland PG Raymond Felton (10.3 ppg) is questionable for this game with a foot injury.

Portland must get back on defense in this game after missing on offense, as in the loss to the Thunder they gave up 20 fast break points.

This season the Rockets are 14-11 ATS with an O/U record of 9-16 and the Blazers are 13-11-1 ATS with an O/U record of 10-15.

• In some betting trends for this Western Conference match up the Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
• 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games as a road underdog
• They have an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games.
• The Blazers are 17-5-2 ATS in their last 24 games as a home favorite.
• 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss, and they have an Under record of 9-4 in their last 13 games.

Pick: The underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings between these 2 teams, but that trend will not continue, as the Blazers will come out after losing their last game at home and win this game and cover the 7-point spread.

(Bet Now At Bovada.lv (Bodog If Your In Canada))

Here’s is our Managing Editor “Q” Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Preview & his predictions

© Jason Green for North West Sports Beat, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |

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Original Story: http://www.nwsportsbeat.com/trailblaz...