The Houston Rockets are trying to prove they are more than a one-man show as they deal with an injury to league-leading scorer and former MVP winner James Harden. Houston heads into a Wednesday matchup against the Blazers hoping Eric Gordon can continue to carry the hold with Harden hurting.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Rockets surprised many after they took down the Jazz in Utah despite missing both Harden and Russell Westbrook from the lineup. Houston won 126-117 despite entering the matchup as a 14-point road underdog.

The result improved Houston’s season record to 29-17 straight up and 22-24 against the spread. Mike D’Antoni’s group sits in sixth place in the Western Conference and is on pace to finish the regular season with 51 wins. 

That would put them well behind the Rockets’ previous two campaigns when they won 53 and 65 games. The regular season isn’t where this team’s goals are attached. How it fairs in the playoffs is what will determine the success of the year. 

Sports Interaction lists Houston at +900 to win the NBA championship. Only the Lakers, Bucks and Clippers have shorten odds to lift the Larry O’B trophy.

The Blazers are coming off a 139-129 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. It was just their second ATS win in their last nine games. Portland is on track to miss out on the postseason for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign. 

Portland is getting buckets but it isn’t getting many defensive stops these days either. The Over is 5-0 in the Blazers’ last five games. Damian Lillard and crew rank 10th in offensive net rating but 26th in defensive rating.

Houston Rockets

Where have you been Eric Gordon? For years, Gordon has played the role as the third option in Houston’s offence – a role he’s filled will for head coach Mike D’Antoni. And while the 12-year veteran has dealt with injuries throughout his career, he reminded the NBA world about his elite bucket-getting skills on Monday night.

The 31-year-old scored 50 points on just 22 attempts from the field against the Jazz with the Rockets missing both Harden and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook will be back on the floor on Wednesday while Harden’s status is still up in the air.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers’ have their own hot-shooting guard. Damian Lillard has scored 47 or more points in each of his last three games. He’s got his sharp-shooting teammate back in the fold in CJ McCollum. The combo guard missed three games due to injury but returned to score 28 points in 35 minutes of action against the Pacers.

Who Will Win Rockets vs. Trail Blazers?

Injuries

Houston

Tyson Chandler (C)

Out Sat Neck - 12 / 09 / 20

Robert Covington (SF)

PRob Thurs Head - 09 / 09 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

out for season Personal - 08 / 09 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Ques Sun Head - 05 / 09 / 20

Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 08 / 20

Danuel House Jr. (SF)

Prob Tues Toe - 10 / 08 / 20

Bruno Caboclo (SF)

Out Sun Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Wed Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20

DeMarre Carroll (SF)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20

Austin Rivers (PG)

day to day Personal - 24 / 07 / 20

Portland

Wenyen Gabriel (PF)

Out Sat Quadricep - 29 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Sat Back - 25 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Mon Back - 23 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Sat Back - 22 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Thurs Back - 19 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Tues Back - 17 / 08 / 20

Zach Collins (PF)

out for season Ankle - 16 / 08 / 20

Nassir Little (SF)

Early Sept Illness - 13 / 08 / 20

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Thurs Back - 11 / 08 / 20

Hassan Whiteside (C)

Prob Tues Hip - 08 / 08 / 20

Injuries

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tyson Chandler (C)	Out Sat	Neck - 12 / 09 / 20	0-1	0-1	+ -
Chandler is dealing with neck spasms and will sit out Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Lakers.
Robert Covington (SF)	PRob Thurs	Head - 09 / 09 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
Covington is battling headache, but it is projected that he will line up in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	out for season	Personal - 08 / 09 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
House Jr. will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the postseason due to a violation of bubble protocol.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Ques Sun	Head - 05 / 09 / 20	1-4	1-4	+ -
House Jr. is tending to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 19 / 08 / 20	4-7	4-7	+ -
Mbah a Moute has a left knee effusion, and there is no timetable for return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF)	Prob Tues	Toe - 10 / 08 / 20	5-10	5-10	+ -
House Jr. is bothered by a left toe sprain, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Thunder.
Bruno Caboclo (SF)	Out Sun	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Caboclo has sat out the past three games due to a sprained right ankle, and he will not return Sunday against the Kings.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Gordon has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, but is expected to make his return Wednesday against the Pacers.
DeMarre Carroll (SF)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20	8-11	6-13	+ -
Carroll missed the last game with a hamstring injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Bucks on Sunday.
Austin Rivers (PG)	day to day	Personal - 24 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Rivers was away from the team due to a personal matter. He has returned and is likely to line up in Friday's matchup versus the Mavericks.

Portland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Wenyen Gabriel (PF)	Out Sat	Quadricep - 29 / 08 / 20	0-0	0-0	+ -
Gabriel is battling right quad tendinitis and will not be available to face the Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Sat	Back - 25 / 08 / 20	0-2	1-1	+ -
McCollum is expected to take the court against the Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round despite a vertebral fracture.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Mon	Back - 23 / 08 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
McCollum is battling a vertebral fracture, but he is likely to take on the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Sat	Back - 22 / 08 / 20	0-3	1-2	+ -
McCollum is expected to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers despite a vertebral fracture.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Thurs	Back - 19 / 08 / 20	1-4	2-3	+ -
McCollum is expected to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round versus the Lakers despite a vertebral fracture.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Tues	Back - 17 / 08 / 20	1-4	2-3	+ -
McCollum is likely to take on the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round despite a vertebral fracture.
Zach Collins (PF)	out for season	Ankle - 16 / 08 / 20	1-4	2-3	+ -
Collins will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a hairline medial malleolus stress fracture of his left ankle.
Nassir Little (SF)	Early Sept	Illness - 13 / 08 / 20	2-5	4-3	+ -
Little has been ailing from dehydration, and he is expected to miss at least two weeks.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Thurs	Back - 11 / 08 / 20	3-5	5-3	+ -
McCollum is expected to play Thursday against the Nets despite a fracture in his lower back.
Hassan Whiteside (C)	Prob Tues	Hip - 08 / 08 / 20	4-6	7-3	+ -
Whiteside has missed the previous two contests due to a left hip strain. It is unlikely to affect his status for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks.