The NBA Emirates Cup group play is back, baby! Friday night hoops with West Group A play between two young and upcoming teams. The Portland TrailBlazers will visit the Houston Rockets.  This game will likely decide which team competes for the wild card and which secures a spot in the top three in the West.

Game Information

• Toyota Center Houston, Texas
• Trail Blazers (6-9) visiting the Rockets (11-5)
• Previous Matchup: Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers (116 – 107) April 12, 2024

All NBA Emirates Cup odds are courtesy of BetOnline 

Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets Prediction

These teams are young with veteran talents sprinkled among the developing players. This an opportunity for each to test themselves against one another. Making it into the NBA Cup bracket would help both franchises build confidence in burgeoning superstars. Plus, who doesn’t want to go to Vegas?

NBA Game Analysis

Trail Blazers are coming off a tough loss to the Thunder in which they battled until the end. The Rockets are coming off a 17-point win at home versus the reeling Pacers. These teams will do it all again Saturday.

The Rockets are an impressive 11-5. Coach Udoka has his team buying in on the defensive side of the basketball. They have held opponents to just 106.2 points per game (3rd) while forcing them to shoot only 34.5% from three (6th). So, you can’t score on them then they clean the glass impressively – 35.9 defensive rebounds a game (1st). They are 6 games over .500 simply because they defend. Key shooters – Fred Vanvleet, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. – are all shooting under 33% from beyond the arc on the year. 

Coach Billups’ Blazers are a different story every night. This young squad has welcomed back Shaedon Sharpe but has dealt with injuries to their starting point guard and starting center as well as others. Despite this they are 6-9 in the tough Western Conference. While their defense is mediocre statistically they’ve shown a propensity to play make defensively. They are 5th in both blocks and steals on the season. If you were to analyze their raw offensive statistics you’d be confused how they’ve even won 6 games out West. 

This is a showdown of NBA Group A teams with the other three teams all but out of contention due to their records and the point differential. Portland and Houston break down like this:

• Houston, 1-0, 1st in Group A, +21 Point Differential
• Trail Blazers, 1-0, 2nd in Group A, +14 Point Differential

This matchup does not look good for Portland. The Rockets love to launch into the fastbreak (18.1ppg – 3rd) and Portland has trouble defending transition pushes, 28th in the league. Furthermore, Portland has a terrible assist-to-turnover ratio and the Rockets are the best in the league at ruining that ratio for opponents. A young Trail Blazers team could have trouble rotating the ball, initiating the offense, and they could be turnover prone. 

Do the Underdogs have a Chance to Bark?

What do the Blazers have? Shaedon Sharpe. The 21-year-old Canadian has hit the ground running since being out early in the season due to a shoulder. I won’t recite the numbers because they’ve been everywhere. What I will tell you is, this is only the beginning, Shaedon Sharpe is a superstar in the making. Scoot Henderson also continues to grow and has shown chemistry with Cling Kong (Donovon Clingan). 

We are witnessing a superstar develop in Portland. The Trail Blazers have struck gold in Shaedon Sharpe.

In his role as the #1 option, Sharpe has had two 30 point games and this go ahead 3 against Atlanta. The Kentucky product is just different. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/wWGHJTAgc3

— Blazers Lead (@BlazersLead) November 18, 2024

NBA Best Bet: Trail Blazers +12.5 (-110) on BetOnline

This is where I will lose many of you. Give me the Portland Trail Blazers +12.5. The compete level in this game will be ratcheted up and Portland has already answered the call early on. The Rockets defense is good but their offense has struggled to produce and they have a logjam of talent on the wings. I believe Portland will make enough plays defensively while making enough offensive adjustments to cover large spread. If the Rockets offence continues to sputter the way it has then Portland may find themselves in the driver’s seat.

Other Information

If you like the Rockets, I could see them covering, because if they find their shooting stroke it will be over from Portland. They also want to lock in their spot in the tournament. A big win would all but guarantee Houston’s spot in the Cup’s bracket. The Rockets impressive defense has carried them and if they pick it up on the other side of the ball they could join the NBA’s elite teams. Their athletic wings could get downhill and start a parade to the free throw line. If that becomes the case then Sengun could be looking at a 20 point double double.

Additionally, this is a NBA Cup game so neither team is going to be willing to sit their stars. They need to keep the differentials down or run them up. Either way the stars shouldn’t be pulled early.

Sportsbooks will also closely guard lines for the Portland Trail Blazers players. A number of their players have been excellent. From veterans like Jerami Grant to the aforementioned young buck Shaedon Sharpe. Also look to target Robert Williams III, an underrated passer and a stock machine, he’s looked recovered from all the knee injuries. I also believe the 7’2 behemoth Cling Kong might cause trouble for Houston. The former 7th overall pick is gaining confidence in the NBA. He should have ample opportunity to stay in this game as the Rockets deploy more traditional bigs like Sengun and Jock Landale.

Key Injuries and Insights

• Scoot Henderson, Quad – QUESTIONABLE
• Anfernee Simons, Hand – QUESTIONABLE
• Deandre Ayton, Finger – DOUBTFUL
• Matisse Thybulle, knee – OUT
• Rockets have no significant players on the Injury Report
• Rockets have beat the Blazers the last 3 matchups

Thanks for reading!

Follow me @JustSukh on X!

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