Game thread: Trail Blazers vs. Rockets

Portland Trail Blazers (48-30) vs. Houston Rockets (63-15), Apr. 5, 2018, 7:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sports Southwest

Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App

Online: Rockets App

Blazers SBNation Blog: Blazer’s Edge

Portland and Houston are going into this game tonight in an enviable position of many in the NBA. Their playoff berths are secure and homecourt advantage in Round 1 is a likely possibility for Portland, while it is a definite for Houston.

Despite the lack of meaning in this game, it should still be a fun contest pitting two of the West’s top teams against each other. However, neither team will be at full strength tonight. For the Rockets, Ryan Anderson won’t play tonight with a sprained ankle he suffered in Tuesday’s win over the Wizards. For the Blazers, in what will likely be a bigger loss, Damian Lillard will sit out, also with an ankle injury he suffered Tuesday night in a loss against the Mavericks. Expect Shabazz Napier to start in Lillard’s absence.

Houston is continuing to find its rhythm with the playoffs starting in a little over a week. Tonight and Saturday are the final two chances for them to compete against playoff-bound talent, so look for the Rockets to fight hard for this win.

Check out AK’s preview before tipoff and Go Rockets!