Simons is in a bit of a funk, scoring just 24 points over his last three games, including a scoreless Thursday night against the LA Clippers.
Blazers center Robert Williams III is the center of attention in trade rumors, especially with Ime Udoka and the Rockets interested.
Jalen Green is averaging over 30 points per game this month on elite efficiency, and he’ll look to build on that when Houston visits Portland (+11.5).
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The Rockets led by as many as nine points early, but Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer that put the Blazers up 31-29 midway through the second quarter. Houston held a 51-50 edge at halftime.
In the rubber match of a three-game road trip, Houston visits Portland on Saturday. Led by Anfernee Simons, the Blazers won at Houston in November.
The Rockets led by as many as nine points early, but Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer that put the Blazers up 31-29 midway through the second quarter. Houston held a 51-50 edge at halftime.
The Houston ... added 22 as the Rockets rolled to a 116-88 victory over Portland on Nov. 22. The next night, the Trail Blazers posted a 104-98 win behind 25 points from Anfernee Simons.
Simons has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday despite dealing with lower back soreness. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 20.2 points, 5.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 34.2 minutes across his previous 10 outings.
The NBA trade deadline is set for 2 p.m. CST on Feb. 6. Some teams will look to improve their roster with hopes of competing for a championship. Others will look to sell with their sights set on the future. And some will simply stay put.
As one of the younger teams in the NBA, the Blazers have made strides this year, but they’re still far from ready to compete with playoff-level competition on a regular basis. Portland ranks 27th in the league in offensive rating (108.6), and nearly as poorly on the other end, sitting 26th in defensive rating (117.1).