Trail Blazers Shell Shocked – Houston at Portland

The Portland Trail Blazers (54-29 SU, 45-37 ATS, 39-42-1 O/U) will look to bounce back from a Game 1 shellacking when they host the Houston Rockets (54-29 SU, 41-41-1 ATS, 41-42 O/U) at the Rose Garden in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series tonight at 10 PM ET.

The Rockets jumped all over their younger counterparts in Game 1, laying an emphatic 108-81 smackdown on Portland to easily cover the spread for NBA sports betting backers in the BetOnline Sportsbook as 5-point road underdogs, while the 189 combined points played Over the posted total of 182 points.

Blossoming point guard Aaron Brooks led the Rockets with 27 points, four rebounds and seven assists while all-star shooting guard Brandon Roy scored a team-high 21 points for the Blazers in a losing effort.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

The Rockets are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.

The Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Northwest.

The Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.

The Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.

The Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.

The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Portland.

The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

The Underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

NBA Odds

Houston Rockets +5½ -110

Portland Trail Blazers -5½ -110

Over 184 -110

Under 184 -110

Analysis: Houston has won three straight against the Blazers and eight of nine overall and have gone a solid 5-2 ATS against Portland in their last seven meetings. After watching their Game 1 rout, I just don’t see how the Blazers are going to beat the clearly hungrier Rockets in this series.

While I like the Blazers to bounce back and perform a lot better in Game 2, I still don’t see a cover in this contest for the Blazers.

The veteran-laden Rockets look unperturbed and determined to finally get out of the first round of the playoffs during the Yao Ming era.

Take the Rockets to cover the spread while pushing the Blazers for the outright win.

NBA Free Picks: Rockets +5½ Points/Over 184 Total Points