For the first time since the James Harden trade, the Rockets are expected to have John Wall, Victor Oladipo, Christian Wood and Eric Gordon all available. Even with them being shorthanded lately, they’ve won three straight, two of which were victories by at least 19 points. Meanwhile, the Blazers have been decimated by injures and will be without CJ McCollum (foot), Jusuf Nurkic (wrist) and Robert Covington (concussion) for this matchup. This could get ugly in a hurry.

Christian Wood is coming back Thursday, boosting a Rockets team that's won three straight and has new life sans James Harden. Wood had 31 points and 13 rebounds at Portland on Dec. 26. In John Wall and Victor Oladipo, Houston has two elite defenders to throw at Damian Lillard. With Portland still missing two of its three best players, I'll lay the small number.

Now that Victor Oladipo is acclimated with his new team and with DeMarcus Cousins playing some of his best basketball in years, the Rockets have won a season-high three in a row and Thursday they will welcome back the guy who has been their best player, Christian Wood, from a three-game absence. Portland remains without three starters in CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington so short of Damian Lillard hanging 50 and Carmelo Anthony 30, it's hard to see this game being super competitive. The Blazers are 2-6 in their past eight as dogs.