The Portland Trail Blazers seek a winning road trip record and what could be the team’s third consecutive victory over Houston tonight at Toyota Center in a game against the sputtering Rockets.
All-Star forward Deni Avdija is once again listed as doubtful to play as he continues to rest a lower back injury. But the show must go on. The Avdija-aires enter the game fresh off a Wednesday night win at Memphis that earned them a 2-2 record on this road trip.
Looking across the Cyclops at mid-court, the Rockets take the court on the second night of a back-to-back. Houston is fresh off an overtime loss last night to the injury- and time-ravaged Warriors.
This should be a pivotal game as the league enters the final months of the season. Houston sits in second place in the Southwest Division paced by Kevin Durant and point center Alperen Sengun. A three seed is within reach for the Rockets if the team can play well consistently.
Portland has beaten Houston in the teams’ last two matchups, but an injury-riddled season clouds Portland’s crystal ball. In fifteen games played without Avdija, the Blazers have a losing record.
Portland Trail Blazers (30-33) at Houston Rockets (38-23) Friday, March 6 – 5pm Pacific
How to watch via antenna or cable: See your options on the Rip City Television Network
How to stream: BlazerVision in Oregon and Washington; League Pass everywhere else
How to listen: Trail Blazers Audio Network
SB Nation Affiliate: The Dream Shake
Trail Blazers Injuries: Damian Lillard, Shaedon Sharpe (Out); Deni Avdija (Doubtful); Kris Murray (Questionable); Caleb Love, Jayson Kent, Yang Hansen (G League).
Rockets injuries: Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate (Out).
Kit: The Blazers will take the floor in their carpet Association Edition jerseys. Houston will wear its white H-Town City Edition unis.
Trail Blazers: L @ CHA, L @ ATL, W @ MEM
Rockets: L @ MIA, W @ WAS, L vs GSW
Trail Blazers: Points, Avdija (24.4 per game). Rebounds, Clingan (11.5). Assists, Avdija (6.6). Steals, Thybulle (1.7). Blocks, Clingan/Williams tie (1.5).
Rockets: Points, Durant (26.2 per game). Rebounds, Sengun (9.1). Assists, Sengun (6.3). Steals, Thompson (1.5). Blocks, Sengun (1.1).
Trail Blazers: Offensive rating: 112.6 (24th place) Defensive rating: 115.6 (20th place)
Rockets: Offensive rating: 117 (7th place) Defensive rating: 111.8 (5th place)
A Crazy Quilt of a Lineup
The season has been defined by inconsistency. On Wednesday night, Portland was missing Avdija, and Donovan Clingan got tossed for a flagrant foul. Veterans Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III took charge to hammer the Grizzlies in Memphis. The seasoned guard hung 35 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds on Memphis while Time Lord contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. It was a welcome corrective to the team’s recent offensive slump.
In spite of signs of life from Vit Krejci, the Blazers continue to underwhelm offensively. Portland has the league’s 24th best offense. So, who will pick up the slack tonight? In the Blazers Jan. 9 victory over Houston, Toumani Camara led all Blazers with 25 points in 40 minutes. More of this please.
Inspired by CeraVe model and Rockets superstar Kevin Durant’s recent display of exasperation, social psychologist Amy Cuddy penned 1,500 words [subscription required] on the importance of body language. She said Portland’s Damian Lillard gets it:
Speaking to a group of young players a few years ago, he zeroed in on the specific physical moments: “It was just your body language. When you miss a shot, when you throw the ball away, your teammate throws a bad pass or somebody misses you, it wasn’t overly or excessively bad. It’s just that y’all gotta learn to not be emotional about every single play.”
The View from Under the Bus
Unsurprisingly, CBS Sports language model (yes really) reports Rockets’ head coach Ime Udoka was not impressed with the Rockets’ loss to the Warriors.
“At this stage of the season, that’s stuff that should be taken care of earlier in the season or last year, whatever the case is,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said.
“Lack of communication is the main culprit. I feel like I’m louder than a lot of guys on the court from the sideline. Guys aren’t hearing it, guys aren’t switching, getting hit-unders and slip-outs. Basic stuff that we should have taken care of by now.”
Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey suggested a trade that would send Jrue Holiday to the Rockets for Jabari Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith.
”…next season, the Blazers should have both of Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson available to soak up some of the minutes vacated by Holiday.