Game 2 vs. Houston Rockets
Previous Matchups:
— Nov. 18 — Rockets, 132; Trail Blazers, 108
— Jan. 15 — Trail Blazers, 117; Rockets, 107
— Jan. 29 — Trail Blazers, 125; Rockets, 112
Score Prediction: Blazers, 119; Rockets, 111
Record Prediction: 31-37
Regardless of whether you consider yourself a fan or not, the Houston Rockets are probably one of the teams just about everyone considers to be must-watch, even if not for all of the right reasons.
Houston effectively took “small ball” to the second power in the game right after losing to Portland, when they rolled out lineups of 6-foot-5 P.J. Tucker and 6-foot-6 Danuel House or Robert Covington as their “rim protectors,” and Eric Gordon, James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the perimeter.
Since trading Clint Capela, the Rockets have gone 7-6, and the struggles that come with playing small have been well documented. The Blazers could be poised to exploit that, especially with who they have returning.
In two meetings, the Blazers have outrebounded the Rockets, 60-47 and 66-59. Carmelo Anthony, in particular, seems to have taken a liking to it, averaging 12.5 rebounds per game over the two games.
There’s also the intrigue of the backcourt matchup. Portland’s been able to edge that out: in the last 12 meetings between Lillard and Westbrook, Lillard has averaged 29.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.9 steals on 45.7 percent from the field.
In contrast, Westbrook has averaged 24.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.0 steals on 40.8 percent from the field. McCollum has had success with Harden too, actually outscoring him head-to-head this season. All arrows point upward for the Blazers in this matchup.