Portland at Houston

After somewhat of an offensive start, these teams have settled into a series that more closely matches the DNA of these teams - defense. Houston has long been associated with strong defense, and the last seven times this team has been in the playoffs, they have not played more overs than unders. This year's games run that mark to 33-21 to the UNDER. Portland has been a top 10 team on the defensive end all season, and the last three games between these teams have seen a maximum of 177 points scored and an average of just 167. The bar will be raised even higher as Portland faces elimination and the intensity shifts up a notch. The Blazers have played Houston extremely tough at home, as they have dropped both games by a total of just four points - less than tonight's line all on its own. The Blazers will bring everything they have here for this one, and staying close is very probably here. Portland is now 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games vs. top-notch opponents (those outscoring their opponents by 3+ ppg). Meanwhile, Houston has continued to struggle vs. good rebounding teams as they are 4-13 ATS this season vs. teams that outrebound their opponents by 3+ per game. Portland has won 20 home games this season by double-digits. They are 15-5 ATS in the following game. During April games the past two seasons, Portland is 9-1 UNDER on the road while Houston is 10-1 UNDER at home! I'll back the Trailblazers and the UNDER here.