March 1st NBA Matchup.
Houston Rockets at Portland Trailblazers

Oddsmakers currently have Portland 5 point favorites and the total at 202 points.  Houston just squeaked out a 2 point winner against the Hornets and Portland just lost to Atlanta by 7 and failed to cover the (+5).  Both teams went way under in the last two games. So there is an angle right there. And the losing team laying 5 points to the winning team, yet another angle.

Matching up the teams they are very similar.  Houston is 30-31 and 31-28-2 Against the Spread.  Portland is 33-26 straight up and  28-27-4 ATS.  The teams are both used to going OVER the total as Houston has done so 7 of the last 8 games and Portland 4 of the last 5.  Portland has covered 7 of 10 in the last ten games these two teams met dating back to 4-29-2009.  Offensively Houston is a juggernaut scoring 105 point per game, but allowing 104 a game is why they have a "sub .500" record.  Portland scores much less (95) but also allows much less (94).

So, what do you do with this game?  In my humble opinion I like the Houston Rockets to cover and the Under 202.  Stay tuned as the next game these two teams play is:

Next up:
Houston at LA Clippers, Wednesday, March 2
Portland at Sacramento, Wednesday, March 2

Stats:

Houston:
Team record: 30-31 SU, 31-28-2 ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 8 games
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland

When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing New Orleans are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

Portland:
Team record: 33-26 SU, 28-27-4 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games

When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4