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Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Game 3 NBA Playoff Gambling Line & Handicapping Pick

Rockets vs Trail Blazer Odds

The Portland Trail Blazers have shocked the Houston Rockets early in Round 1. Portland leads 2-0, but the Rockets are now the ones playing as underdogs in a pivotal Game 3.[ad-4468020]

No. 4 Houston (0-2) vs. No. 5 Portland (2-0)
Friday, April 25
Moda Center
10:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Spread: PDX -3
Total: 216
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Houston

The Houston Rockets are in dire need of a win, and they know it. That’s what makes them so dangerous at this juncture. Down two games in the series, it’s time for James Harden to step up and prove he’s the superstar everyone thinks he is. We saw Dwight Howard get going early in Game 2, but while it was nice to see the big man be aggressive, it took away from opportunities for Harden to catch fire.

Defensively, the Rockets must find a way to slow down LaMarcus Aldridge. In Game 1 he set a Portland franchise record for points in a game with 46 points, and he followed that up with a 43-point performance in Game 2. Simply put: Houston must bring the double team.

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It had no problem doubling Wesley Mathews in Game 1 when the 2-guard was going to work in the post against Harden, and now it must concede to the fact that neither Omer Asik nor Terrence Jones can slow down the three-time All-Star on their own.

Game 3 isn’t a “must win” in the traditional win-or-go-home sense, but it is as close as it comes. No NBA team has ever recovered down 3-0, meaning the Rockets need to play as if their playoff lives depend on it.
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Portland

The Blazers have had a lot of things go right for them. Aldridge is averaging 44.5 points and 13 rebounds per contest (not to mention two blocks). Damian Lillard is scoring 24.5 points per game while collecting eight assists along the way. Maybe most importantly, Harden is shooting below 30 percent in the series.

Almost everything has gone right for Portland up to this point, which is borderline worrisome when you think about how close the games have been.

Don’t take anything away from the Blazers—they’ve been brilliant. That said, you have to wonder if they can keep it up and keep winning such close contests. You have to assume Aldridge will come back down to Earth at some point, and conversely, you have to assume Harden will step up. The question is: Will it be in Game 3?

Offensively, expect the team to go back to Matthews in the post. The team wants to wear down Harden on defense; although you know Aldridge will be a focal points as well. Defensively, expect much of the same.

The team will let Howard do what he wants down low while focusing on Matthews’ strength and Nicolas Batum’s length to contain harden.

Unfortunately for Portland, Houston is a desperate team, and desperation is sometimes what it takes to win. Expect Houston to be as scrappy as ever in a crucial Game 3.

Prediction: Houston 113 – Portland 110

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"