The Gambler: Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets

Opponent: Houston
Line: +6.0

Gambler's Record: 16-17-1

"I haven't seen a beating like that since someone put a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose."

—Cousin Eddy, Vegas Vacation

I want to talk about length for a second, and it has nothing to do with Greg Oden. Does anyone know what the Portland losing streak in Houston is, including the playoffs?

Four? If only!

Six?! Hardly!

Eight.

Eight straight times the Trail Blazers have gone into Houston, and eight straight times they've been sent home branded with an "L." The last time they won in Houston, Zach Randolph was the sheriff in Trailblazer town. In the first game against the Rockets this season, the Blazers only lost by four; of course, it took 42 points from Roy to keep it close.

The Rockets are a team that forces difficult jump shots and makes people play out of their comfort zone. They play a physical, ugly brand of basketball, and Portland doesn't like that. The only guy fit to keep this game close is Andre Miller, and he's getting pretty tired from putting the team on his back.

Six points is a lot, but it's not enough to help the Blazers.

Take the Rockets.