Portland @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 18, 2019 ) Portland 108, Houston 132

Point guard Russell Westbrook will be back on the floor Wednesday as the Houston Rockets try to escape a minor rut when they host the Portland Trail Blazers. Westbrook was held out for rest Tuesday and the Rockets lost 121-110 to the host Memphis Grizzlies for their second loss in the past three games.

Star guard James Harden poured in 41 points for his 16th 40-point performance of the season but Westbrook's absence was felt during the double-digit setback. "When Russell is not around we need to find a little bit more punch," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters of Westbrook, who has scored 20 or more points in each of his last 14 appearances. "Somebody has to step up. ... We just have to get back on the horse (Wednesday) night and try to get a win." Portland beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-112 on Monday for its third win in the past 11 games and begins a three-game road trip. Damian Lillard scored 30 points against the Hornets, the 15th time he has reached the mark this season.

TIME: 9:30 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN, NBCS Northwest, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Sportsnet One

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (17-24): Journeyman forward Anthony Tolliver scored a season-high 16 points - all in the fourth quarter - and also collected a season-best 11 rebounds for the second straight contest to help Portland hold off Charlotte. "I'm just playing basketball," Tolliver said after making 7-of-8 shots. "I don't really think too much about individual accolades or stats. it's just 'hey if I'm the one shooting it, I want to make it.' My teammates were finding me in positions to score and I was able to capitalize on them and saw a couple shots fall and started feeling pretty good." Tolliver is averaging 3.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 31 games but figures to receive more playing time as long as he continues to perform well.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (26-13): Backup guard Eric Gordon scored a season-best 23 points against the Grizzlies and he has two 20-point efforts in six games since returning from knee surgery. "It's coming together. I want to continue to get better and better," Gordon told reporters afterward. "It's going to take time but I am getting better. The knee is getting better. Overall, I just need to get into better shape." Gordon underwent the surgery on his right knee in mid-November after a stretch in which he scored in single digits in three of five games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets have won nine of the past 12 regular-season meetings, including a 132-108 home win Nov. 18 in which Harden scored 36 points.

2. Portland SG CJ McCollum scored 27 points against Charlotte to tally at least 20 for the 10th time in the past 14 games.

3. Houston C Clint Capela had 16 points and 16 rebounds against Memphis for his 25th double-double of the campaign.

PREDICTION: Rockets 126, Trail Blazers 118