Ugh ... Blazers retake the lead. The Rockets have been relying on free throws the last several trips down, and haven't executed a solid set yet. Brooks can't allow Steve BLake to blow by him like that, and Yao needs to contest that shot.
Seems like we're falling apart down the stretch, again. For all the things you say about McGrady, this is the time when we need someone like him. Artest is way to undependable and Yao often shies away from the ball at these moments.
This game is over. Valiant effort by the Rockets, but predictably sloppy execution down the stretch. Momentum has now shifted to the Blazers, and with Mutombo out I think they have edge going forward.
Rockets made it interesting down the stretch. On the last play, I didn't see the contact with Lowry ... it almost looked like Fernandez just fell down. Man, the Rockets could have gotten the ball back there down 2 ... if only. Well, the Blazers got what they wanted. The game was called tight on both sides, and numerous touch fouls were whistled. I think the game really took a turn for the worse when Yao got whistled for his 4th foul on that Pryzbilla flop. The Rockets battled back to close out the 3rd quarter thanks to Brooks, but if Yao didn't leave the game at that point the Rockets could potentially have sustained that lead they had.
1) Inconsistent reffing 2) Yao has to get position after they front him, he just cant give up! 3) More touches for Brooks 4) More Von Wafer 5) Less dumb shit for Artest
Hand it to the Blazers also. Brandon Roy was phenomenal, and I think he proved why he's the best player in this series. Even in game 1, he played very well. The guy is just so poised, you'd never know this was his first playoff series.
Deke just called it a career in the post game interview. He was reflective and philosophical. I am seriously depressed right now.
Solid game all-around, Houston matches up very well with Portland. Should be a six-gamer your way I think, but who knows? Sorry about Deke, I send him my best wishes. Nice career man.
Blazer fan here. I was at the game, and everyone around me was so bummed to see Mutombo go out that way. He has been an amazing player and an even better person. I hope everyone at home got to see the long standing ovation he got from the away crowd, it was touching.
I saw it. Classy move by the Portland fans. You guys were great all-around yesterday (though of course I have a different perspective on the calls). I hope Toyota Center is as loud and into the game on Friday.
Winning both games 3 and 4 will be essential to winning the series. If it's tied up 2-2 going back to Portland, I can't see us winning 2 out of 3, especially game 7 in Portland.
I was not happy with how the game was called, but I can understand from a Rocket point of view where you would be angry too. It was a typical Joe Crawford game; he made it about him and not about the players.
I just want to say that I am very sad to see Mutombo go down like that. A great person, and a great player who didn't always get the credit he deserved. I'm glad my fellow Blazer fans had the class to give him that ovation.
