Rockets at Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets look to extend their winning streak to four games and maintain their seventh position in the Western Conference when they visit the fading Portland Trail Blazers. While Portland has fallen out of the playoff race with six straight losses, Houston is three games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and one behind sixth-place Golden State with seven games to play. The Rockets have dropped two of the first three meetings with the Trail Blazers, including two overtime losses in November.
Portland expects to have LaMarcus Aldridge back in the lineup after the All-Star power forward was forced to miss the last four games with a sprained right ankle. Aldridge leads the Trail Blazers in scoring (21) and blocks (88) and ranks second in rebounding (8.9). The news is not as promising for small forward Nicolas Batum, who is listed as doubtful after suffering a labral tear in his right shoulder on Monday against Utah.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Portland
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (42-33): Houston moved a season-best nine games over .500 with a 112-102 victory at Sacramento on Wednesday. Rookie Terrence Jones recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jones has shuttled back and forth between Houston and the D-League all season, but he may have earned a longer look with Wednesday’s performance. James Harden had 21 points in 40 minutes against the Kings after missing two games with a sore right foot.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (33-42): Aldridge is averaging 29 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games against Houston this season, while point guard Damian Lillard is averaging 21.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Lillard, who is running away with the Rookie of the Year award, leads the league in minutes played (2,889). If Batum’s injury causes him to miss the season’s remaining seven games, rookie big men Meyers Leonard and Victor Claver figure to receive even more playing time.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The last three games between the teams played at the Rose Garden have been decided by seven points or fewer.
2. Houston is 6-16 on the road against opponents from the Western Conference.
3. Harden has averaged 29.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists in three games against Portland this season.