Rockets-Trail Blazers Odds Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Rose Garden in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. Oddsmakers currently have the Trail Blazers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Rockets were defeated 95-84 by the Mavericks in their regular-season finale last time out, as a pick'em. The team's played UNDER the posted total of 190. Yao Ming tossed in 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a losing effort. The Trail Blazers held the Nuggets to just 15 points in the fourth quarter as they cruised to a 104-76 victory in their regular-season finale on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers covered the 7.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 199. Travis Outlaw led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, and Rudy Fernanadez added 18 in the win. Team records: Houston: 53-29 SU, 40-41-1 ATS Portland: 54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS Houston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Portland are 6-4 After playing Dallas are 7-3 After a loss are 9-1 Portland most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Houston are 4-6 After playing Denver are 5-5 After a win are 8-2 A few trends to consider: Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Portland Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Portland The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 12 games on the road Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home Next up: Houston at Portland, Tuesday, April 21 Portland home to Houston, Tuesday, April 21