Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets -6.5
Total: 220.5
Portland Trail Blazers
The line may be a bit puzzling at first, considering Houston has the second-worst record in the West and Portland would be a playoff team if the season ended today. The line likely reflects Portland's struggles on the road, where they have lost four consecutive games.
The Rockets have the second-worst defensive rebounding rate in the NBA. That could play into the hands of a frontcourt that is playing very well right now. Jusuf Nurkic is fourth in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate and is coming off his best game of the season, as he matched his season high of 22 points and also recorded 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocked shots and three steals against Minnesota on Saturday. Al-Farouq Aminu has scored in double figures in four of his last five contests and is averaging 14.8 points during that stretch.
Damian Lillard is fourth in the NBA with 27.2 PPG. He is averaging 30.8 points, eight assists and 5.8 rebounds over his last four games. Lillard, Nurkic, Aminu and C.J. McCollum all scored 20 points in their only game against Houston this season. Lillard has made multiple 3-pointers in eight straight contests.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets are seventh in the NBA in Offensive Rating, led by James Harden. Harden leads the NBA in scoring, and he has scored 30+ points in seven of his last 11 games.
While Harden and his teammates are still scoring, they are shooting much worse than anyone could have expected. Eric Gordon is averaging 15.7 ppg but on a dreadful 36.6 percent shooting. Chris Paul's 43.1 percent field goal percentage is his worst since his rookie season. Houston leads the league yet again in three-point attempts, but they are shooting just 33.7 percent on threes, good for 24th in the league. Houston's bench is last in the NBA in scoring with 28.2 points per game.
Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs -12.5
Total: 217
Phoenix Suns
The Suns face an uphill battle, entering this game on a nine-game road losing streak, and a 1-12 road record this season. Phoenix will be without franchise player Devin Booker, who will miss his fifth consecutive game with a hamstring injury.
Rookie DeAndre Ayton has been one of the rare bright spots for Phoenix, at least offensively. Ayton has 15 double-doubles this season, and he has shot 68 percent (17-of-25) over his last two games.
T.J. Warren was ejected after playing just 12 minutes Monday, though his minutes were going to be limited as it was his first game back from an ankle injury. It remains to be seen how much he will play Tuesday.
San Antonio Spurs
With a win over the worst team in the NBA, Greg Popovitch would break a tie with Pat Riley and move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time coaching victories list. Of course, one of Phoenix's four wins this season came against the Spurs.
Rudy Gay tied a career high with 15 rebounds in his last game, while also adding though 23 points. Davis Bertans is expected to miss his second consecutive game. That should lead to more playing time for Dante Cunningham, who returns after a one-game absence.
The biggest concern for fantasy may be that this game is a blowout, which would lead to fewer minutes for the starters.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Clippers
Toronto Raptors -4.5
Total: 222
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are fifth in the NBA in points per game at 115.4. Toronto is third in offensive rating and 16th in pace.
The biggest question mark in this game is probably Kyle Lowry, who has struggled mightily scoring of late. Lowry has three points total in his last two games. He is shooting just 19.0 percent from the field in his last five games. Lowry is still shooting 42.4 percent this season, nearly identical to his 42.5 percent career mark, but he has been fantastic when Kawhi Leonard has missed time. Kawhi is questionable for Tuesday's game with a bruised right hip.
As always, keep an eye on Toronto's starting lineup. Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds as a starter this season. Serge Ibaka is averaging 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds as a starter.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are fourth in the NBA in points per game at 115.9. The Clippers are sixth in offensive rating and ninth in pace.
Los Angeles may have a harder time scoring if Lou Williams has to miss the game after leaving Monday night with a hamstring injury. Patrick Beverley would likely see more minutes, while Tobias Harris, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari would likely have to bear more of the burden offensively. Only the Wizards have allowed more fantasy points to opposing centers than the Clippers this season.