This young team is showing no mercy and scoring at will and this is a POR team they already scored 123 and 131 against before an injury to their center got them running and shooting more. HOU is 4th in the NBA in pace this month and 2nd in offensive rating, 3rd in FGA, 6th in effective FG% and 2nd in points (122.6). Even with big leads they still keep running and gunning gaining valuable winning experience and confidence. They are trying to force their way into the play-in and POR is counting the minutes til they pack up their lockers. HOU points since the lineup change; 147, 127, 137, 117, 135. POR is 22nd this month allowing 114+/G. I project 124+ for HOU

We just missed hitting this in the projected blowout of the Jazz we saw coming because VanVleet was shooting so out of his mind he didn't really facilitate much despite a 130+ point outing because he didn't play the 4th quarter of the blowout. But he's over this in 9 of the previous 10 games this month - with 7 in the other game - and he has 9+ assists in 8 games this month. He's averaged 8.5 assists in two games vs POR this season.

Green continues to shoot at a ridiculous level and is over this in 5 straight and averaging 4 3s/game this month. He went 4/9 vs POR this month and just hit 7 vs Utah. Since HOU lost its center and picked up its pace, Green has 27 threes in 6 games. POR is 21st this month defending the three ball. I see the Rockets pushing for 130+ points again with this dead-eye shooter leading the way.

We keep riding the team that Vegas can't peg. Figured this would open at 10, like HOU/UTA game did Sat, and would jump anything 11.5 or less. HOU covered 6 straight by a margin of 6+ (not winning margin; cover margin). 11-1 ATS last 12 and 6 of their last 7 wins are by 10+ points. HOU is 2nd in +/- this month (12.1); POR is 27th on road (-9.9) for season, allows 117/G on road (19th). HOU scored 123 and 131 vs them already and that was before HOU lineup/tempo change. Blazers have lost 6 in a row; 4 of them by 8+ points. We keep riding Rockets hot hands vs a fading opponent. HOU won by 18 as 6.5 fav at POR 3/8