Trail Blazers News: Starting Lineups Revealed For Portland Vs Houston

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 12, 2024

Mar 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray blocks a shot attempt by Jalen Green. / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The starting lineups have been announced for tonight's relatively pointless matchup between two Western Conference lottery contenders, the 21-59 Portland Trail Blazers and the 39-41 Houston Rockets.

The Trail Blazers will trot out a starting five of guards Scoot Henderson and Rayan Rupert, small forward Jabari Walker, power forward Kris Murray, and center Deandre Ayton.

In Portland's last game, a fairly close 100-92 defeat to the Golden State Warriors, Ayton proved to be the star of the show for the losing side. The 6'11" vet scored 25 points on 12-of-24 shooting from the field, grabbed 11 rebounds, swiped three steals, blocked one shot and dished out one dime. Given how shorthanded the Rockets are in their frontcourt (they're missing centers Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, plus second-year power forward Tari Easton), Ayton seems like he would make sense as the natural focus of the Trail Blazers' offensive attack tonight.

Starters tonight!

📺: @SpaceCityHN @ReliantEnergy | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/vKczoNsgZ1

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 13, 2024

Jalen Green will hope to avenge a miserable three-point shooting turn in Houston's 124-121 loss to the Utah Jazz last night, but he'll be sliding down to the point tonight. Rookie wing Amen Thompson will start next to him at shooting guard. Dillon Brooks will pester everyone as the Rockets' starting small forward. Jabari Smith Jr., who jumped center in place of Sengun last night, wil return to his more natural power forward position, while Jock Landale will join the starting lineup as the club's center.