Bodog Beat

The Portland Trail Blazers have certainly been forced to start the season off the hard way. (AP Images)

Set to meet a 2007-08 playoff team for the fifth straight game, Portland will try to avoid its fourth loss in five games tonight when it hosts the Houston Rockets.

The Blazers’ only victory so far this season was a 100-99 win in their home opener against San Antonio; since then they have dropped their last two on the road at Phoenix and Utah. The plan was for Greg Oden to bolster Portland's defense. Instead, the Blazers have allowed an average of 101.3 points.

After playing three of its first four at home, the Rockets embark on a difficult road trip that also includes games against the Lakers, Phoenix, and San Antonio. Houston was the only team to beat the Blazers four times last season, and Portland has lost five straight and 15 of 18 overall against the Rockets. Get your NBA betting with Bodog today.