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Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers: preview and Win Meter

Houston Rockets → Portland Trail Blazers →

Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, March 30 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Trail Blazers at only 56%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.

Why it is so close

The Win Meter reads the Trail Blazers 56%, with a projected score of Houston Rockets 114, Portland Trail Blazers 115. The rating gap is 58 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 99 rating points for the Trail Blazers on top of that.

Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 44 times in 100 games like this, the Rockets would win.

Recent form

The Rockets are 4-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3.8. The Trail Blazers are 2-0 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -0.6.

The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.

The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.

The Trail Blazers' best recent win was 124-83 at home against PHX.

The Trail Blazers were beaten 114-93 at home by SAS not long ago.

Injuries to watch

Out: Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Shaedon Sharpe (POR), expected back Mar 2, 2027, Chris Youngblood (POR), expected back Oct 29, 2026, and Jayson Kent (POR).

Day to day or questionable: Marcus Smart (HOU), Branden Carlson (POR), and Scoot Henderson (POR). Their status can change before tip-off.

The season series

In our records of recent meetings, the Rockets lead 4-3, with the Rockets outscoring the Trail Blazers by an average of 9.7 points per game. The last meeting was POR 99, HOU 106.

Last five games

Oldest to newest. Tap a result for the score.

Rockets4-1, +3.8 avg margin
Trail Blazers2-3, -0.6 avg margin

Pick a result above.

Keys to the game

  • The Rockets arrive in better form (L-W-W-W-W against L-L-L-W-W).
  • Health: 4 players are listed as out, so watch who steps into the rotation.
  • Home court is worth about three and a half points in our model, which helps the Trail Blazers.

Recent meetings

  • Mar 6: POR 99, HOU 106
  • Jan 9: HOU 105, POR 111
  • Jan 7: HOU 102, POR 103
  • Nov 14: POR 116, HOU 140
  • Jan 18: HOU 125, POR 103

Injury report

Houston Rockets
  • Steven Adams Out · back Nov 2
  • Marcus Smart Day to day · back Oct 28
Portland Trail Blazers
  • Shaedon Sharpe Out · back Mar 2
  • Chris Youngblood Out · back Oct 29
  • Branden Carlson Questionable · back Oct 27
  • Scoot Henderson Questionable · back Oct 27
  • Jayson Kent Out

Win Meter

44%
56%
RocketsTrail Blazers

Projected score: Rockets 114, Trail Blazers 115

Model estimate for information and entertainment.

Win Meter lab

The reading comes from the rating gap plus a bonus for home court and rest. Slide the bonus to see how much it matters.

44%
56%
RocketsTrail Blazers

Matchup at a glance

HOUPOR
Record4-02-0
Last 5LWWWWLLLWW
Points per game120.8126
Allowed per game111101.5
Days of rest––
Rating16021544

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