Lets not get ahead of ourselves. The Rockets have held a 2-0 lead twice before, but in 2005 it was rigged. Game 2 is not game 7, but it will tell me a lot about how the Blazers respond to adversity and if they learned anything from game one.
I think if we win game 2, the series will effectively be over. We've been a great home team this year and the young Blazers might not be able to pick up their spirits once they're drop the first two at home. That said, it's not over till it's over. We can't be complacent. The Rockets did a great job of reacting when Yao was fronted occasionally last year. We attacked the basket, swung the ball to the weak side and didn't panic. Portland will probably try to front right off the bat in game 2 so we'll need to be prepared. If Brooks can keep up the hot shooting as well it would be a great help. DREAM, good to see you back!
I concur. This team is tougher now without McGrady and they won't expect the Blazers to roll over and give them the series because they are down.
I won't mention "her" name until the series has concluded....just mentioning "her" existence brings a cold chill down my spine
LOL it's been two months; let it go. This team though has been much more efficient with ball movement this season without him. The focus is now clearly on Yao and we're benefitting from that. As long as Ron doesn't take 20 bad shots.
Brooks and Scola were the real difference in Game 1. You expect Yao to get his, and you knew Artest was going to be pumped up to shut Roy down....but when Brooks and Scola are playing that well, it is going to be a long evening.
We seemed to be willing let Roy go in this game though. Artest wasn't going all out at him on defense, and even when Roy went off on Artest, Battier didn't switch over. It worked, because the Rockets had Yao and Mutombo ready to meet Roy at the rim, and Portland's big men outside of Przybilla didn't crash the offensive boards.
You can't beat Yao, so you have to take him out of the game. Portland doesn't seem to understand this.
