Trail Blazers at Rockets
Houston Rockets star James Harden doesn't experience very many low-productive nights, and that could be bad news for the Portland Trail Blazers. Harden is coming off a season-low 13 points and will aim to regain his high-scoring form when the Rockets host the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Harden, who is averaging 28.7 points, hadn't scored fewer than 24 this season before struggling through a 4-of-16 outing in Wednesday's 105-103 loss to Oklahoma City. "I still wasn't able to make a couple of passes," Harden told reporters afterward. "I missed shots. Normal game, just didn't make shots, especially down the stretch when we needed to. That was it." Portland is looking to rebound after a horrifying showing in a 113-88 home loss to Chicago on Tuesday. The Trail Blazers are embarking on a five-game road trip that ends Nov. 25 in Cleveland.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), ROOT (Houston)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (7-5): Festus Ezeli is experiencing more issues with his left knee, and coach Terry Stotts said the injured center is seeking a second opinion. Ezeli was signed as a free agent in the offseason and underwent surgery in August but hasn't recovered enough to play. He did participate in part of a practice in mid-October, but his knee swelled up afterward and there is a high amount of concern regarding its long-term stability.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (6-5): Shooting guard Eric Gordon was just 5-of-20 for 13 points on Wednesday in his second contest since being reinserted into the starting lineup. Gordon has reached the 20-point mark just twice this season, but coach Mike D'Antoni - who once coached him with USA Basketball - is optimistic Gordon can regain the form he displayed earlier in his career prior to a knee injury. "He was one of the best players there," D'Antoni told reporters. "If he stays healthy, he's 27 years old, there is no reason why he can't be one of the better players in the league."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers have won four of the last six meetings.
2. Houston G Patrick Beverley (knee) is slated to make his season debut.
3. Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu (calf) will sit out his fifth consecutive game and may miss the entire road trip.