The Houston Rockets will take on the Portland Trail Blazers for the second time this week alone on Friday night. The Rockets will certainly try to do a better job of defending Blazers star Deni Avdija than they did in the first matchup of the week between the two teams, when he went off for 41 points while converting 13 shots from the floor and earning himself 15 trips to the charity stripe.
For as surprisingly competitive as the Trail Blazers have been this season, barring a similarly spectacular scoring showing from Avdija, it’s hard to envision Portland picking up yet another win over a vastly more talented Rockets squad.
Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 22-12 record, which puts them in the Western Conference standings’ sixth-place slot.
The Portland Trail Blazers are the owners of an 18-20 record and a four-game winning streak, good enough for ninth place in the Western Conference.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Houston lost to the Trail Blazers (103-102) on the road.
Portland beat the Rockets (103-102) at home.
Injuries
For Houston, Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) is out, Isaiah Crawford (illness) is out and Fred VanVleet (ACL) is out.
For Portland, Jrue Holiday (right calf strain) is doubtful, Jerami Grant (left Achilles tendonitis) is out, Damian Lillard (injury management – left Achilles tendon) is out, Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear) is out, Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy) is out, Blake Wesley (right foot fracture) is out and Kris Murray (low back soreness) is out.
Probable starting lineups – Houston
Probable starting lineups – Portland
Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers: Stream, lineups, injury reports, broadcast (1/9)
Reporting by Jesse Cinquini, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
