The Houston Rockets are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland. This game marks the third and final meeting between the two teams this season, with each having secured a win in their previous encounters.
The Rockets currently hold a 27-13 record, placing them second in the Western Conference. They have won six of their last ten games but are coming off a 132-127 road loss to the Sacramento Kings. In that game, Jalen Green led the team with 28 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, stand at 13-27, ranking 13th in the Western Conference. They are currently on a four-game losing streak, with their most recent loss being a 118-89 defeat at home to the LA Clippers. Dalano Banton was a bright spot for Portland, contributing 23 points off the bench.
In terms of injuries, the Rockets will be without forward Jabari Smith Jr., who is sidelined for four to eight weeks due to a fractured left hand sustained earlier this month. Additionally, Jock Landale is listed as day-to-day for personal reasons. The Trail Blazers will miss Donovan Clingan and Matisse Thybulle, both out with ankle injuries, while Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant are questionable for the game.
Defensively, the Rockets have shown significant improvement this season under coach Ime Udoka. The addition of Dillon Brooks has bolstered their defense, allowing only 105.1 points per game, the third-lowest in the NBA. Brooks’ tenacity has been instrumental in transforming the Rockets into one of the league’s toughest defensive teams.
Given their current form and defensive prowess, the Rockets are favored to win this matchup and aim to return to their winning ways against the struggling Trail Blazers.
