Preview: Trail Blazers at Rockets HOUSTON (Interstat) — The surging Houston Rockets, holding firm in the Western Conference playoff picture, will host the inconsistent Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets (38-22) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last 10 games. They are coming off a 123-118 road victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday, led by a dominant 32-point, 12-rebound performance from center Alperen Sengun. Sengun has been a force, averaging 18.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists over his last 10 contests, including a triple-double against Sacramento on Feb. 25. Portland (30-33) snapped a two-game skid with a 122-114 win in Memphis on Wednesday. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday erupted for 35 points and 11 assists in that victory, highlighting a recent stretch where he has averaged 21.5 points and 6.3 assists over his last 10 games. Forward Jerami Grant added 30 points in the win. Houston boasts a significant advantage in the standings, but the season series has been tightly contested. The teams split a two-game set in Portland in early January, with the Trail Blazers winning 111-105 on Jan. 9 and 103-102 on Jan. 7. However, in their only meeting in Houston this season on Nov. 14, the Rockets delivered a decisive 140-116 victory. The matchup features a compelling clash in the backcourt and frontcourt. Holiday’s two-way prowess will be tested by Houston’s perimeter defense, while Portland’s interior defense, led by Robert Williams III, faces a major challenge in containing the versatile Sengun. Following this game, Portland begins a four-game homestand on Sunday against Indiana. Houston hits the road for a matchup in San Antonio on Sunday.