Blazers vs. Rockets NBA expert prediction and odds for Wednesday, Jan. 24 (Houston’s defense has dream matchup)

After winning back-to-back games for the first time since November, the Portland Trail Blazers have started their four-game road trip with losses to the Lakers (134-110) and Thunder (111-109).

Portland finishes up a back-to-back on Wednesday in Houston and a lack of rest hasn’t stopped the Trailblazers from making money for bettors. Will that trend continue as big underdogs at the Toyota Center?

Houston is just 3-7 in its last 10 games and sits at No. 11 in the Western Conference. Will it be able to win with margin with injury concerns?

Here’s a betting preview for Wednesday with a best bet. 

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Blazers vs. Rockets odds, spread and total

Blazers vs. Rockets how to watch

• Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24 
• Game time: 8 p.m. EST
• Venue: Toyota Center
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
• Blazers record: 12-31
• Rockets record: 20-22

Blazers vs. Rockets injury report

Portland Trailblazers injury report

• Shaedon Sharpe (thigh): out

Houston Rockets injury report

• Reggie Bullock Jr. (back): questionable
• Tari Eason (leg): out
• Jalen Green (illness): questionable

Blazers vs. Rockets key players to watch

Blazers

Jerami Grant: The veteran small forward has been a bright spot of late for the struggling Blazers. Grant is 36th in the NBA in scoring and has averaged 25.5 points over the last four games, combining for 20 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks in that span. 

Rockets

Dillon Brooks: Not known as a scorer, Brooks attempted 20-plus shots for just the third time all season in Houston’s 116-107 loss to Boston on Sunday. Brooks finished with a team-high 25 points, knocking down five 3-pointers, but was only 36.4% from the field. Brooks is averaging 14.6 points per game since missing nine games with an oblique injury. 

Blazers vs. Rockets prediction and pick

The rest advantage for the Rockets sticks out with three days in between games and Portland finishing up a back-to-back after losing in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

That hasn’t mattered to Portland, though, going 5-2 ATS with no rest and Houston is just 4-4 ATS with a rest advantage this season. Overall, Houston can’t be trusted to win by margin having lost six of eight games and not winning by more than nine points since a New Year’s Day blowout of the last-place Detroit Pistons. 

Houston’s defense does have a great matchup in this game. Portland is averaging a league-low 107.5 points per game and the Rockets’ defense is top-5 in the NBA in effective field goal percentage and No. 1 in the Western Conference defending the 3-point shot. 

Houston has the No. 8 defensive rating in the NBA, but the No. 2 defensive rating at home (107.4). With injury concerns and a big number, rely on Houston’s defense to keep this game below the total. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.