A huge Saturday of NBA - the Knicks host the in-form Heat, the Spurs will look to stop Steph Curry after he poured 46 on them two days back, and the Rockets take on a surprise packet in the West in the Trail Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets
The 7-3 Houston Rockets host the Portland Trail Blazers, who currently sit inside the top-eight in the West due to the work of Tiago Splitter taking over from Chauncy Billups.
Can the Rockets make it eight from their last nine, or will a resurgent Portland led by Deni Avdija cause some issues for the home team?
LEG 1 - Deni Avdija 20+ Points
Off the back of a huge EuroBasket, Deni Avdija is following the Lauri Markkanen ‘Most Improved’ form-line by posting some huge numbers for Portland this season.
The former Wizard is averaging 26.1 points per game so far this season, and has hit 20+ points in ten of his 11 games.
Over the last two weeks that average jumps to 30.2 per game - he’ll continue to get the volume and free throw opportunities to hit 20+ in this.
LEG 2 - Amen Thompson 6+ Rebounds
Generally an outstanding rebound guard, I expect Amen Thompson to bounce back from a poor rebounding game last start against the Wizards.
Thompson only recorded one rebound the entire game, with his average across the season at 6.1 - but prior to the last game, it appeared Thompson was back to his rebounding best.
Prior to last start, Thompson averaged 8 rebounds over a six game stretch hitting 6+ in five of those games. With Portland conceding rebounds to point guards 12% above average, I expect the Rocket to bounce back.
LEG 3 - Alperen Sengun 6+ Assists
Has been ultra-consistent this season especially as a distributor. Alperen Sengun averages 7.2 assists per game as Houston’s starting centre, and has hit 6+ assists in every game he’s played this season - a 100% strike rate.
Portland concedes assists 9% above average to centres, so no reason why his 6+ assist streak won’t continue.
SAME GAME MULTI
Avdija 20+ Points / Thompson 6+ Rebounds / Sengun 6+ Assists = $3.10
VALUE BET
Reed Sheppard 15+ Points @ $3.80
Real question marks on the former third pick earlier in the season, but he’s found his niche in this system as a sharp shooter from deep.
It’s all a minutes play for Reed Sheppard - when he plays 20 minutes or less, he doesn’t get close to this, but he’s played 24+ minutes in his last three games where he’s hit 15+ points in all three contests including 21 against the Wizards.
In Sheppard’s last four games of 20+ minutes he’s hit 15+ points, and against a Portland outfit that are bottom 10 for opponent points, he’ll get plenty of chances.
