Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Can Jabari Smith Jr. Hang With K.D.?

The Houston Rockets (22-11) embark on a three-game road trip, starting with a pair of games in Portland.

The Trail Blazers (17-20) seek their fourth consecutive victory, coming off a 20-point blowout of the Jazz on Monday. Portland has won three straight games on three occasions this season, but hasn’t reached a four-game hot streak.

Houston is after its fifth win in the last six games, coming off a 100-97 comeback victory over Phoenix on Monday. The Rockets erased a 13-point deficit to improve to 11-2 at home. 

Let’s look at the Rockets vs. Trail Blazers prediction for Wednesday night’s battle at Moda Center, tipping off at 10:00 p.m. ET, including NBA picks for PrizePicks today.

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Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under

The Rockets own an 18-15 against the spread record, compared to a 21-16 mark for the Trail Blazers.

Blazers PF Jerami Grant (20.0 ppg) hasn’t played since December 18, dealing with an Achilles injury. The Rockets continue to play without C Alperen Sengun (21.8 ppg), who is sidelined up to two weeks with an ankle injury.

Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Over/Under, Spread

The Rockets enter this matchup as 5.5-point favorites, returning a 1.36x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.

The Trail Blazers are home underdogs with a 2.94x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

• Spread: Houston Rockets -5.5
• Over/Under: 225.5
• Game Winner Payout: Rockets 1.36x | Trail Blazers 2.94x

(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)

Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Prediction on Spread

Here are some stats to know to get you set for Rockets vs. Trail Blazers tonight, including insights on our Rockets vs. Trail Blazers prediction.

• The Rockets failed to cover three of the last four games, all as a favorite of at least 8.5 points.
• Houston stumbled to a 3-7 ATS mark in the past 10 road contests, including losses to the Mavericks twice, Kings, and Pelicans.
• The Blazers are 5-1 against the number in the last six games. Portland stunned San Antonio (115-110) and Boston (114-108) as an underdog.
• The Rockets crushed the Blazers, 140-116 as 7.5-point favorites on November 14. Houston looks for its seventh victory over Portland since March 2024. 
• The Blazers try to improve on a 1-3 ATS record in the past four opportunities as a home underdog.

Rockets vs. Trail Blazers NBA Player Picks

Here are three top Rockets vs. Trail Blazers picks to target on Wednesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by three players: Rockets F Kevin Durant, Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija, and Houston F Jabari Smith, Jr.

Rockets F Kevin Durant vs. Trail Blazers Projection: 27.5 Points

• Durant continues his consistent scoring, posting at least 20 points in 15 of the last 16 games.
• K.D. delivered his worst shooting performance in the past seven games in Monday’s win against Phoenix. 
• In his second matchup since getting traded by the Suns, the former Texas Longhorn shot 9-of-21 from the floor and scored 26 points.
• Durant didn’t eclipse the 25-point mark in four consecutive road games before putting up 34 points in Saturday’s loss at Dallas.
• The second pick of the 2007 draft burned the Blazers for 30 points in the mid-November rout.

Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija vs. Rockets Projection: 34 Pts+Rebs

• Avdija is turning heads with a career-high 25.7 ppg in his second season in Portland.
• The former Wizards lottery pick silenced the Jazz with 33 points on Monday, marking his 10th game of at least 30 points.
• In four of the last five games, the three-time Israeli league champion racked up at least 35 points and rebounds.
• Since December 20, Avdija is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and pulled down 10 boards in the first meeting with Houston.
• His home scoring average is nearly 3 points higher than on the road. The 25-year old is putting up 27.3 ppg at Moda Center, compared to 17.1 ppg at home last season.

Rockets F Jabari Smith Jr. vs. Trail Blazers Projection: 15.5 Points

• Smith’s scoring average equals tonight’s projection, posting his most points per game in his four-year career.
• The former Auburn standout bounced back from a 7-point showing against Dallas to score 17 points in Monday’s win over Phoenix.
• December was Smith’s most productive month, as he racked up 16.8 ppg, including nine outings of at least 16 points. 
• The top-scoring November game for the third selection of 2022 came against Portland, putting up 22 points.
• In each of his final four road November outings, Smith scored at least 16 points. He was held to a total of 21 points in his past two away games against Brooklyn and Dallas.

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The Trail Blazers try to stay hot on Wednesday, while looking to avenge a November loss to the Rockets.

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