At 4-1, the Portland Trail Blazers are one of the biggest surprises of the first week-plus of the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season. But with superstar guard Damian Lillard out at least a week with a calf strain, that may provide the young Houston Rockets with an opportunity.
If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research for the Rockets-Trail Blazers clash, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.
The game starts at 9 p.m. Central and can be seen via AT&T SportsNet Southwest (in Houston markets) or on NBA League Pass. With Lillard sidelined, Houston’s explosive backcourt of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. should have a solid chance to outscore their Portland counterparts and perhaps an opportunity to pull an upset.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Blazers -4.5
- Money line: Blazers -175 / Rockets +145
- Over-under: 222.5
Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.
Rockets at Trail Blazers injury report:
- Rockets: TyTy Washington out (left knee sprain), Bruno Fernando out (left knee soreness), Alperen Sengun probable (illness), Kevin Porter Jr. probable (right quad contusion)
- Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard out (right calf strain), Gary Payton II out (return to competition conditioning), Trendon Watford out (right hip flexor strain), Olivier Sarr out (right wrist sprain).
Advice and prediction
Even without Lillard, the Trail Blazers have more proven difference makers such as Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic, and Anfernee Simons. But Portland’s point differential of plus-3.0 suggests its 4-1 record is likely overachieving. Moreover, the Rockets are looking to make amends after a 1-4 start and have Sengun returning after missing two games due to an illness.
The smart money is still on Portland winning at home, but we’ll take the Rockets with the points, and it shouldn’t come as a complete shock if they win outright.
Prediction: Blazers 113, Rockets 110
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
