The Blazers should cover on Friday, given that they have been playing much better defensively with Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III defending the paint instead of Deandre Ayton (doubtful). Portland has played better in the last four games without Ayton, going 3-1 straight-up and 4-0 against the spread with a +4.0 NET rating. It has a -6.8 NET rating this season, so it's clear to see the impact his absence has on the Blazers.

I've also been hunting for opps to fade the Rockets, who are giving a generous 12 points in this matchup after surprising some people with a better-than-expected start to the season. Houston is a stout defensive club, but I don't believe it is efficient enough offensively to cover this large of a spread (27 in eFG% and 28th in 3PT%).