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Portland Trail Blazers: Game-for-game picks and analysis of the eight-game schedule

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 18: Jusuf Nurkic #27 (L) and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers have a conversation on the bench in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors during their game at Moda Center on December 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 18: Jusuf Nurkic #27 (L) and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers have a conversation on the bench in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors during their game at Moda Center on December 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
Carmelo Anthony, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

 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.