The next two games are in Houston. The Rockets stole one game in Portland, if they win tonight they can close the series in 5.
Whoever wins these next two games will win the series. If the Rockets do anything less than take both games, I'd say Portland will win the series in 7. If Rockets get Games 3 and 4, Houston in 6.
Tough game but you pulled it out. Brooks was pretty awful in this game though, especially at the end with the over dribbling, and the weird FTs he kept missing considering what kind of FT shooter he is.
What do you guys make of Yao and are you worried in the future? I'd use him a couple more minutes than today to gut out a Game 4 Win. I think game 4 clinches it for you guys, I just can't see you losing three straight, even in Portland.
Biggest shot of the game, I think, probably goes to that Scola elbow jumper that put us up 6. Though Shane's late 3 is also a candidate. On the telecast, JVG talked about how good a job Portland did on defense, but how they weren't able to score enough points against us. I think we can flip that around -- this game showed how vulnerable our offense is, and how good our defense can be. To me, Portland has an edge in game 4. I think they'll make the adjustment, and come out sharp. Yao did his job this game. It's not about how many points he scores. The Blazers chose to shut him out, and concentrated their defense around him. The Rockets used that to their advantage throughout the first half, and played efficient offense. In the second half, the Rockets spacing wasn't as good, and the passing wasn't as crisp. And, what do you know, that also happened to coincide with Ron Artest getting back into the action (not necessarily blaming it on Ron, but when the Rockets aren't running their offense smoothly the ball tends to get in his hands). I thought Yao had an excellent defensive game, though. People may give credit to Artest for the job he did on Roy, but I'd say Yao deserves just as much. He was generally very good protecting the basket and securing the defensive boards.
I don't know, you played them close in Game 2 so I'm not sure there's much one can draw from tonight. I think you guys have a decent edge in Game 4, especially against such a young team.
So has replacing Mutombo been easy? I wasn't able to track how Yao's backup did tonight on both sides of the ball.
I expected the Blazers to go big when Yao was sitting out, because they'd have a huge size advantage. They should play Oden more while Yao is sitting, IMO, but I don't remember seeing much of that. So we weren't hurt too bad with the lack of size.
Hard to play a man with foul trouble for shoulder tapping Yao. Worst call this SEASON. That's all I'll say.
