We are roughly two and a half weeks away from the official start of the online NBA betting playoffs. As we approach that date, one particular headline that will draw interest will involve the Cavaliers’ plight to maintain their lead atop the Eastern Conference. The Cavs and the Celtics have been playing hot potato with the No. 1 seed in the East, and hopefully, as we head towards the end of the season, one of these two will set themselves apart.
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- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs – Sportsbook Preview – March 27, 2017
Thursday night, Boston will be staying off the court, but the Cavaliers will have an opportunity to lay waste to the Bulls. Cleveland has been struggling as of late, but a team as meager as Chicago should offer the perfect opportunity for a rebound. The Cavs will open as heavy online NBA betting favorites, and the results should be coherent with that prediction.
One contest that might draw more interesting results is the matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trailblazers, the last contest of the night. The Rockets are much higher in the Western Conference than the trailblazers, but online bookmakers are still convinced this one will come down to the final seconds.
Portland Trailblazers vs. Houston Rockets – Thursday, March 30, 2017
When: 10:30 pm ET
Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
TV: TNT
Online NBA Betting Odds:
Portland Trailblazers +1 (-110) 229 (-110) -102
Houston Rockets –1 (-110) 229 (-110) -118
Portland Trailblazers
The Trailblazers haven’t had the most successful of seasons. They come into this matchup sporting a 36-38 record that ranks the franchise 3rd in the Northwest Division, but 8th in the Western Conference. Additionally, Portland has posted a 23-21 record in the West, which gives them a 3-game lead over ninth-place Denver. Similarly, The Trailblazers are 4-games behind the Memphis Grizzlies in conference standings. Portland comes into Thursday night’s game riding a 4-game win streak. However, the Rockets will be a tougher challenge than any of the other 4 teams they’ve recently beaten.
To help get the job done against Houston, Portland will turn to leading point-scorer Damian Lillard. Lillard is averaging 26.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per contest. Second in points for Portland is CJ McCollum who is putting up 23.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per matchup.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets come into this matchup sporting a 51-23 record that ranks the Rockets 2nd in the Southwest Division. The Rockets have posted a conference record of 32-13 this season, which ranks them third in the West. Houston has posted a 4-1 record in their last 5 games and will be coming off their most recent defeat to the Golden State Warriors 113-106.
To lead them in their online NBA betting matchup against the Trailblazers, Houston will turn to James Harden, who is averaging 29.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per contest. Second in points for the Rockets is Eric Gordon who is putting up 16.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per outing.
