with the Blazers playing so well lately, I think we have a good shot at winning against the Rockets and Spurs, but I am nervous that their hot rhythm can also be broken by these teams if they lose. God damn it, I really want the Blazers to win BOTH. Also, Roy has been playing great, but Artest and Bowen could hurt Roy and his confidence, which is very important this time of year.
I am anxious and nervous about tonight's game. What a huge game for home court advantage (which I never though possible until a week ago). But this huge game is against a strong team, on the road where the Blazers have been dominated. A win will keep the euphoria, but a loss will have me crashing back down to earth . . . and personally I have really enjoyed the last week of euphoria . . . in other words I need my fix tonight . . . hope my dealers (the Blazers) have what I need.
Nervous? No, not really. I was thinking about what makes this team different from last year and I realized I don't think they are as reliant on emotion for success; especially looking back on the big winning streak last December, it always felt like a big soap bubble that would burst at any time and the team would come settling back to Earth. The way the team has played over the last month or so (and the latest hot streak) just feels grounded in something completely different, it's like they know they belong and they're getting it done with hard-nosed physical play rather than laying back and praying they'll get hot, shooting jumpers. In short, I don't think it matter what happens against Houston or San Antonio; a loss in either place won't rock their confidence as long as they are playing tough and physical.
As long as we can beat LA and Denver at home, I'll be okay with losing to the Rockets and Spurs this week, and I think the Blazers would be, too. Not that they enjoy losing. However, winning either one (and I really feel that we can win one or the other, even both) would be a huge confidence builder going into the playoffs. Will San Antonio rest either Duncan or Parker when they play us because it's a back to back for them? Do they care about their seeding?
Quite honestly, I'm not so concerned about winning or losing these two games. I'll be looking for them to keep it close and show energy and poise. If they can do those things, I don't think they'll have any doubts about their ability to steal one on the road in a series.
I don' think the Blazers will crash and burn if they lose this one. I'm nervous for how much is on the line. If the Blazers win, they take the inside track to HCA over Houston (1.5 game lead with 6 to play). Also, SA is going to lose today so the Blazers could be tied or maybe ahead playing against the Spurs. If the Blazers by some chance beat the Rockets and the Spurs . . . that should really make them the front runner for HCA.
Very good points. They are not a fluke. They are solid when healthy, and where all teams get on a "roll" and go through a slump through the course of a season, the way this team is built (and coached) they are more consistent. Having said that....yes i am nervous. My gut tells me that the Houston, SA, and LA games may go similar to the Cleveland game. Close but no cigar.
This team does not get too emotional over a win or loss. I do think this might change in the playoffs, although I hope they can continue their current emotional state.
Maybe I'm not nervous because I had the team pegged at 48 wins in the preseason prediction thread -- it's all gravy once they clinch a spot in the playoffs.
There's really not one player on the Rockets that scares me. No Kobe/Carmelo/Parker/etc. Yao maybe, but Przy and Oden should play him pretty well. Plus I don't think Yao has the same ability to just dominate a game like the other players I mentioned. The Rockets overall just play well as a team. Disrupt that rhythm and you have a chance to win.
Portland will play good D tonight and they have turned it up a notch on O by moving a little faster. This has resulted in 5 & 1 in 6 games, and 7 & 2 in 9 games. I predict a win tonight. I do not believe that the Rockets are all that smooth on offense lately either.
I am nervous for the game since this one game holds the tie breaker. I am confident that our boys will give it a great effort. I am more worried about a knuckle head player like Artest doing something crazy. It is not hard to imagine him messing with Roy or trying to hurt him.
