The Houston Rockets will visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on January 7, 2026. This game will be broadcast on KUNP at 10:00 PM. The Rockets have a 22-11 record, while the Trail Blazers have a 17-20 record.
Houston is led by head coach Ime Udoka. They are currently ranked 5th in the Western Conference and 2nd in the Southwest Division. Portland’s interim head coach is Tiago Splitter. They hold the 9th spot in the Western Conference and 4th in the Northwest Division. Both teams look to improve their standings early in the season.
Houston Rockets Team Preview
The Houston Rockets are heading into their next game with some momentum. They recently won against the Phoenix Suns with a score of 100-97. Kevin Durant led the team with 26 points, while Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. both contributed 17 points.
Despite a recent setback against the Dallas Mavericks, the Rockets have been performing well overall. Their season stats show they rank high in points per game and field goal percentage. Kevin Durant remains a key player, averaging 25.7 points per game this season.
The Rockets are dealing with a few injuries as they prepare for their next game. Alperen Sengün and Fred VanVleet are out due to injuries, affecting their lineup. With Steven Adams stepping in as center, the team looks to maintain their strong rebounding performance.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers recently had a strong win against the Utah Jazz with a score of 137-117. Deni Avdija shined with 33 points and 9 assists. Shaedon Sharpe also contributed 29 points and 7 assists in the game.
In their game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Trail Blazers secured a close win, 115-110. Avdija again led the team with 29 points and a double-double. Donovan Clingan added 24 points and 12 rebounds to help the team’s efforts.
The Trail Blazers are dealing with several injuries. Key players like Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard are out with injuries. Jerami Grant is also out, affecting their depth on the court.
Betting Prediction
The Rockets are strong on both ends of the court. They score 119.4 points per game, which is 7th in the league. Their defense only allows 111 points per game, ranking 3rd. This balance makes them a solid choice to cover the spread.
Portland struggles with defense, allowing 119.6 points per game. This ranks them 23rd in the league. The Rockets’ efficient shooting, with a field goal percentage of 48.9, can exploit this weakness.
The Rockets are first in rebounds per game with 48.8. This will help them control the pace against Portland. The Trail Blazers allow 43.8 rebounds per game, which gives the Rockets an edge in this area.
- Pick: Rockets -6.5
