Two nights after a wild finish, the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers are right back at it in Portland. The Blazers edged the Rockets 103–102 on Wednesday behind Deni Avdija’s season-high 41 points and a frantic final review that overturned Tari Eason’s tip-in at the horn. Friday’s rematch at the Moda Center brings fresh injury news, heavy stakes in the Western Conference race, and one big watch item: the possible return of Jrue Holiday.

What happened on Wednesday night

Portland’s 103–102 win turned on details. With 5.9 seconds left, Kevin Durant sank two free throws to cut the deficit to one. Houston then used a successful challenge on a loose-ball foul to gain a final possession. Durant’s 19-foot jumper rimmed out with about 2.1 seconds left; Eason beat everyone to the miss and tipped it in — but video showed the ball was still on his fingers as time expired.

Avdija was the star, pouring in 41 points with six boards and two assists, while Shaedon Sharpe added 20 and three made threes. Durant tied his season high with 37 points for Houston, and Amen Thompson kept the Rockets within reach all night. But Portland controlled long stretches, including a 17–7 run to close the first half and an Avdija buzzer-beater that set an 81–75 lead entering the fourth.

“That tip-in was a hair late — now Houston has to make sure the game isn’t decided by inches again.”

Final injury report: Sengun out again; Holiday upgraded to doubtful

Houston will again be without starting center Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain). He has missed two full games plus most of the night he was injured in Dallas, and this rematch marks his third straight absence. Coach Ime Udoka indicated, via Marc Stein, a 10–14 day recovery window. Sengun leads the Rockets at 6.5 assists per game and is a key scorer and rebounder, so his absence looms large — especially with Fred VanVleet out for the season (right ACL). With Sengun sidelined, Steven Adams is referenced as stepping in.

Rockets’ listed outs: Alperen Sengun (ankle), Fred VanVleet (right ACL), Isaiah Crawford (illness), and Tristen Newton (G League).

For Portland, Jrue Holiday has been upgraded to doubtful after missing 26 straight games with a right calf strain. Some outlets list him as GTD or day-to-day, but the tone is the same: he’s closer than he’s been in weeks. His last appearance came in a 140–116 loss to the Rockets, which adds a neat twist if he’s able to log minutes in this one.

Blazers’ listed outs: Jerami Grant (left Achilles tendonitis), Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear/hamstring), Damian Lillard (left Achilles management), Kris Murray (low back soreness), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), and Blake Wesley (right foot fracture). Holiday is doubtful.

“If Jrue even plays 10–15 minutes, that changes matchups and late-game calm for Portland.”

Why Sengun’s absence reshapes Houston’s attack

Sengun does more than score. He organizes. He leads Houston at 6.5 assists per game (team-high) and sits at 9.0 rebounds per night. Without him, the Rockets’ half-court flow has to shift. On Wednesday, Durant put up 37 and Amen Thompson added 24, but the group, as noted in preview coverage, didn’t get enough help elsewhere. That balance is the task tonight.

The preview numbers outline potential answers. Durant is pacing the Rockets at 26.1 points per game by one measure, and at 24.5 PPG in another snapshot; Thompson brings 18.9 points, 8.4 boards, and 5.5 assists, with two-way juice. Jabari Smith Jr. (15.5 PPG, 2.3 threes) and rookie Reed Sheppard (12.7 PPG, 2.3 threes) are natural swing pieces. If they hit shots and crash the glass, the burden on Durant eases, and the late-game execution that fell inches short on Wednesday can get cleaner.

Blazers still banged up, but roles are crystal clear

Portland’s injury pile is long, but its pecking order is not. Avdija (27.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 8.5 APG in the preview table) has taken on a starring load, and Sharpe (20.8 PPG) has embraced big moments. Toumani Camara’s three-point spike (3.0 makes per game in the preview) gives spacing, while rookie Donovan Clingan (9.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.0 block) brings size and activity in the paint. Robert Williams III adds rebounding and rim protection in shorter stints.

If Holiday does get cleared, even for spot minutes, Portland gains a steady veteran in late-clock situations. If not, the Blazers will again lean into the Avdija–Sharpe combo to create enough offense while defending by committee.

Standings, streaks, and setting

The Rockets arrive at 22–12 overall, 11–10 on the road, sitting sixth in the West and 6–4 over their last 10. The Blazers are 18–20, 9–9 at home, and also 6–4 in their last 10 — with a four-game win streak intact thanks to Wednesday’s thriller. The rematch is at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, with both teams eyeing movement in a packed conference table.

“Houston needs a second scorer to pop — if not, Avdija and Sharpe can trade buckets with KD all night.”

Three things that will decide the rematch

• Avdija’s touches and help coverage: He hit 41 on Wednesday and scored at key times. Early digs, more switch discipline, and making others beat you could be Houston’s plan A.
• Houston’s late-game spacing without Sengun: With no hub at the elbow or on the short roll, the Rockets must clear sides for Durant and keep cutters active. Jabari Smith Jr. and Sheppard’s spot-up threes are huge here.
• Blazers’ guard depth vs. fatigue: If Holiday is out or limited, ball-handling falls to a smaller group again. Portland must value the ball and win the effort areas (50–50s, long rebounds) to close.

Players to watch

• Kevin Durant, Rockets: Coming off 37, and leading Houston in plus/minus (+7.9), he’ll see every coverage. If he draws two, the reads to Thompson and Smith must be instant.
• Amen Thompson, Rockets: At 18.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.5 APG in preview metrics, his rim pressure and defensive activity can tilt the game, especially in transition.
• Deni Avdija, Blazers: The hot hand after 41. His season snapshot (27.5/8.0/8.5) paints a lead creator who can punish single coverage.
• Shaedon Sharpe, Blazers: 20.8 PPG and 2.2 threes per the preview page; his shot-making bent the fourth quarter on Wednesday.
• Donovan Clingan, Blazers: Nearly a double-double with 1.0 block; his size matters against a Rockets team missing Sengun.

The bottom line

Wednesday’s drama set the stage. Tonight is about adjustments. Houston needs cleaner spacing late, more shooting support for Durant, and a way to slow Avdija’s drives without over-committing. Portland needs to keep its defensive edge and hope its top wings stay hot. The Jrue Holiday watch adds suspense; Sengun’s absence adds strain. In a pairing this tight, expect the winner to be the team that trims the details — the box-outs, the extra pass, the one rotation that turns a two into a miss. After all, two nights ago, the difference was barely a blink.