On the floor, the Portland Trail Blazers sorely need Anfernee Simons to be the player he once was.
Despite starting Friday night’s 116-88 loss to the Rockets, Simons only scored eight points and sent out 0 assists.
When Simons gets 24 points or more, the Trail Blazers are 3-1; when he scores 20 points or fewer, they are 1-8. In games where Simons played five minutes or less, they are also 3-1.
The Rockets are experts at sabotaging the offenses of their opponents. It is Simons’ responsibility to lead the team through that storm, and he will need to regain his threat level as a volume scorer.
By doing this, the Rockest would be compelled to blitz him, which ought to start the attack.
Prediction: Against a top-tier Houston defense, the Blazers need to improve their ball handling and figure out how to shoot well from outside. Don’t see it. The Rockets triumph once more.
HOUSTON ROCKETS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Rockets (12-5) vs. Trail Blazers (6-10) at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Where: Houston’s Toyota Center.
Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM) is the radio station.
Channel: KATU Charge Portland has an antenna of 2.2. Comcast: 1170 and 302. 688-1 is DirecTV. Dish: available on January 1.
Rip City TV Network is the way to watch. An HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland) will allow you to watch this game live for free even if you don’t have cable. These antennas cost about $20 and are very simple to install. You may get one at your neighborhood Fred Meyer or Bi-Mart, or you can buy one online from Amazon or Walmart and have it delivered right to your house. Here are some guidelines for configuring an HDTV antenna on your TV or other display. Use the channel finder here to learn more about the channel that Rip City TV Network is available on in your area.
DraftKings/Oregon Lottery (ODDS)
Moneyline: HOU -1100 | POR +700
Over/Under: 223.5 | Spread: POR +13.5
INJURIES
Blazers: Deandre Ayton (right index finger), Matisse Thybulle (right ankle strain), and Scoot Henderson (back sprain) are not playing.
Rockets: Steven Adams is not playing due to his right knee injury.
UPCOMING
On Monday, the Blazers take on the Memphis Grizzlies (8-7) at 5 p.m.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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