Should be a fun game to watch. Portland is young, but athletic. They have a rickety start to their season, but every team who has played poorly are due for a great game. Houston needs to rebound from their poor showing at Boston. Yao needs to play big, especially if Greg Oden isn't playing. Tracy has to play distributor tonight, as well as draw double teams. Rafer needs to stick a fucking shot. Artest is where I think we win tonight. Artest will be against any of the SFs of Portland, and should still have the advantage. In the post, he is stronger than Outlaw or Batum. I think Rockets win. 102-88. I'll be able to catch like...2nd quarter onwards.
Rockets should win this game. We've had troubles guarding Brandon Roy in the past, but I think Artest has had success defending him. Yao's struggled against Pryzbilla, and I'm sure the Blazers are smart enough to front Yao defensively when they go small. T-Mac or Artest should have his way against the Blazer guards. Brooks played great last year in Portland; he should do well against this team. But watch out for Rudy Fernandez to go off if T-Mac is defending him. That guy is pretty good.
I look forward to watching Rudy play, the kid is just flatout exciting. We also gotta watch out for Aldridge, once he gets hot, his confidence and his ability just soars.
Artest always seems to play well against the Blazers. He's able to bully whoever is put on him in the post (which I suppose is true of most SFs in the league, I just notice it more here). That's honestly my biggest worry about this game. Just gotta hope he decides to shoot a bunch of jump shots for no good reason!
Agreed. Ron is the X-Factor to this game. If he plays well in the post, draws fouls, scores, and just flat out dominates on both ends, then this game would be a wrap for Houston. However, he gets into those shooting traps that you mentioned. Let's pray he is smarter than that.
Yay! My first Rockets game is about to start! Too bad for Philly hehehe... I wonder if anyone will join me....cause then I'll look stupid if its just me.
Scola makes the first basket for us. Yao got his shot blocked, then Tracy missed a jumper while Aldridge made a hook and a dunk.
Forgot to mention that Batum hit a three. Rafer tipped the ball away from Roy which led to the Scola layup.
Alston with a layup off the screen by Yao. We need to step up our defensive game, we're letting them get whatever they want downlow. Scola had the turnaround jumper.
Rafer just messed up our fast break opportunity when he tried to fake the behind the back pass....Tracy got fouled. Ron misses a three. Yao misses the turnaround jumper. Yao off. board and putback off the Scola miss. Timeout Portland. We're up 13-10.
Moving screen on Frye. Tracy missed an easy layup downlow. Landry picked up a foul, Roy with the free throws.
Frye and Blake with a pair of jumpers. Ron missed an open three. Scola with another jumper. Landry got called for another foul. That is 2 on him and tehres still 3:03 in the first quarter. Timeout. Portland up 16-15.
Our offense is so damn stagnant. It goes to one of our big three, then the ball just stops. There is no passing going on. Our big three are 1 for 10. The rest of the guys? 5 of 7. Brooks came in and got a big applause. And made a three to end the quarter!!!!!! Blazers up 21-18.
Brooks has played well. He just made a jumper and is now shooting free throws. We still aren't altogether on the defensive end, we always leave one person open, and all 5 of the Portland guys can shoot.
LANDRY WITH THE BOMB HOOP!!!! Brook made another three and has 10pts already. Outlaw is on fire...geeze
