We are 0-2 in Houston, but one of those games we did not have Oden. The game we won at home back in November on the Roy last second three was also without Oden after playing Utah the night before. Yes we got our butts kicked on April 5th in Houston. Our other game in Houston was very close in which we played a terrible first half, but kicked their butts in the 2nd half. Overall we have played them pretty well this year. I honestly feel if the series had been a 2-1 split with the home games being in Portland we would have won the series. We have home court, and that is HUGE. I am also not worried about Roy because the guy knows how to win. As long as we stay healthy and use all of our big guys against Yao we should be fine. I see Ruffin getting some time this series against Yao. I am feeling very good about our chances. GO BLAZERS!!
Portland and Houston have practically identical records at home and on the road. Three games spread out over the year doesn't necessarily make for a good sampling. Playing a series of consecutive games should shine some light on where these teams actually are in terms of each other.
the blowout loss to houston was also the same day that portland found out they clinched a playoff spot, so they may have been celebrating more than playing hard.
I think it will be a long hard often painful series, but when it's all said and done, we'll be celebrating on our court at the end of Game 7.
