Rockets-Trail Blazers Preview

Allen Crabbe believes the Portland Trail Blazers have learned how to lock down defensively during a surprising push that has them eyeing a playoff spot. In a matchup between teams vying for eighth place in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers hope to head into the All-Star break with their 12th win in 15 games and second victory in five days over the visiting Rockets on Wednesday night. Portland (26-27) was nine games under .500 and in 10th place, two games out of a playoff spot, on Jan. 8 before an 11-3 stretch brought the club within a half game of eighth-place Houston following the Rockets' 123-110 loss at Golden State on Tuesday.