Houston @ Portland picks

Once upon a time, the Trail Blazers were nearly invincible at Moda Center. Those days are no longer here, and we’re looking at a Portland team on a four-game home-losing skid and 8-11 at home. Its -9 points differential isn’t encouraging either. Houston had a five-game winning streak snapped Thursday at Sacramento, but the Rockets boast the third most efficient defense, according to Hollingers. Houston has offensive firepower Portland doesn't have, and they'll blast the struggling Rip City lads in its own barn.