Sat Jan 10 02:50:00 UTC 2026: # Blazers Seek Series Sweep Against Rockets in Rematch
The Story:
Following a nail-biting 103-102 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Portland Trail Blazers are set to face the Rockets again on Friday, January 9, 2026. The Blazers narrowly escaped defeat when a last-second tip-in by Houston’s Tari Eason was ruled to have occurred just after the buzzer. Portland hopes to capitalize on their current four-game winning streak and sweep the two-game series, while the Rockets aim to avenge their loss and address their recent offensive struggles.
Key Points:
- The Portland Trail Blazers won against the Houston Rockets 103-102 on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
- The Blazers are currently on a four-game winning streak, the longest in the NBA.
- Key Blazers players, including Kris Murray, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle, and Blake Wesley are out with injuries; Jrue Holiday is doubtful.
- Key Rockets players, including Alperen Sengun, Fred Vanvleet, and Isaiah Crawford are out with injuries.
- Deni Avdija scored a season-high 41 points for the Blazers in the previous game.
- Kevin Durant scored 37 points and is close to passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list.
- The Rockets dominated the rebounding battle in the previous game, securing a 57-38 advantage.
- The rematch is scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2026, at 7:00 pm Pacific.
Key Takeaways:
- The Blazers’ victory was extremely close, highlighting the competitive nature of the series.
- Injuries are playing a significant role for both teams, potentially impacting the outcome of the rematch.
- Rebounding will be a crucial factor in the rematch, with the Blazers needing to improve their performance in this area.
- Deni Avdija’s performance is a key factor for the Blazers success
- Kevin Durant’s scoring milestone adds an additional layer of intrigue to the game.