It's official: Houston Rockets vs Portland Trailblazers in the first round

Looks like a tough balance between getting players that are injured some rest versus regaining the stamina that we need from players returning. Because of injuries, running plays with starting 5 to build stamina and routine becomes an issue too.

Tricky line.

 

I anticipate a tough series. The Rose Garden brings it hard. I believe we are the better team and should win in the end but let's just say I wouldn't be shocked to see Portland advance.

 

I have a feeling Harden and Howard will want to win the series as much as anybody. Harden because he needs to prove he can lead a team being the top player and Howard to justify his decision to come to Houston "top win a championship". This is the first test to see if that can happen and if they fail, ESPN/Laker fanboys will not forget.

We have the two best player in the series in Harden and Howard, no disrespect to LMA. But he doesn't affect the game like Howard does and is pretty inefficient unlike Harden.

I expect us to win in 5.

 

Portland is trash. Houston in 5.

 

Good matchup. Rockets should win, as long as PatBev is healthy. Lillard/Mo-Will can really torch Lin and Canaan.

Por is a good team. They're only six-deep, which in theory makes them a better playoff team than a regular season team (your top six play more in the playoffs than in the regular season). However, am not sure LMA is a big-game player. He seems a softie to me.

One key for the Rockets: do not foul! Their top 6 players are all 80%+ at the line.

Should be a fun series.

 

Can anyone on the Rockets guard LaMarcus Aldridge? Parsons has generally gotten the better of Batum but Batum is playing pretty well right now and might be playing better right now due to Parsons being worn down. Lillard is going to get the better of Beverley because Portland has prepped the officials to watch for his aggressive style of play and I don't think Beverley has enough strength in his knees to keep playing that style and avoid fouling. Jeremy Lin is going to have to play a very big role defending the point and making plays for the Rockets to win. Harden will get his but can he keep Matthews under wraps? Howard should do well with his matchup.

This is a tough series to figure out, but I think Houston is the more talented team and should win 4-3.

 

Yao drops 24 and 9 in game 1 and.....

I was gonna say Houston in 6, but the way the team has finished the season, looking bad against some terrible teams...I'll say it goes to 7-Rockets...hopefully.

 

Houston in 5 if we get HCA, if not Houston loses in 4.

 

Rockets in 5. Howard avg's 22/14/2, Harden 27/6/4.

 

Tend to believe this..

It's playoff time. Harden's and Rockets' effort will increase. We have a clutch shooter (James) and a potential DOMINATE interior (Dwight/Asik). Sky is the limit.

Enjoy the ride!

 

Interesting idea, but I think Pop values rest over possibly giving Portland home court. He can't control 1) how we play NOLA at end 2) how Portland plays LAC and 3) how we play Portland. Look at what he's doing now: clearly Memphis is a tough matchup for him but he was still going for that number 1 seed.

 

Remember this (huge) picture?

Spoiler

 

Rockets in 5, but that's not a "dominant" 4-1.

That's: Hold serve, get smacked in game 3, steal game 4, pull out nail-biter in gm 5.

 

I think we win in 6. Not a calk walk, but we are the better team. Just need to show up. And Omer on Aldridge might be key.

season series:

1st game, Rockets win big 116 to 101. Harden and Howard were super efficient on 21-31 combined shooting (although Harden did have 8 TO). This was with the Twin Tower lineup. Lillard was ineff shooting 7-17 but did connect on 4/9 3's (mostly late I think). Lin started this game with Bev off the bench. They both had 12 pts each on eff shooting (combined 9-17). Aldridge also had an off game shooting 9-19 (yes that's off for him against us). I recall Omer containing Aldridge well.

2nd game, Blazer win 111-104. Harden was a bit off (8-18), Bev off (3-10), Parson way off (6-18) - one of his worst game of the season. Lin was non existence (1-4). Howard was the bright spot with 32, 17 on 14-22 shooting. Jones 10pts. We DID NOT have Omer. Aldridge burn us on 12-22 and 25 rebounds! Lillard was just 1-10.

3rd game, Rockets again win big 126-113. Parsons revenge (12-19), 31 pts, 10 reb, 7 assists. Howard and Harden had typical games. Bev did well (5-11) 17pts. Aldridge again went off on us with 27pts and 20reb but shot only 11-26. I think DMo and Casspi guarded him through 3 and Howard guarded him late. Lillard again struggle % wise (7-17).

4th game in HOU, we came back late to win 118-113 in OT. Portland led almost all the way until the last few mins. Aldridge again was Aldridge with 28pts, 12 board on 10-27 shooting with 7-10 ft. Matthews went crazy at the FT for 12-13 and 26pts. Lillard was efficient on 7-13 shooting for 21pts. Harden had 41 pts but not his usual ultra eff game (12-28, however 7-12 from 3 and 10-11 FT). Parson and Bev had their usual game (16/7board and 12 pts respectively). Howard struggle with 5 TO. JLin was huge late with 26pts. Our PF was a no show (Jones 2pts, DMo 0 pts). Asik was still out of shape (3board 0 pts).

 

Rockets have to prove they are out of their recent "funk" before I am willing to predict. I will say this, if they play like they have in the last three games, they will get swept. Seriously. If they flip the switch and turn up the intensity (can they do this?) and get HCA, they will win in seven. Maybe. Their recent collapse really worries me. They don't look like they are ready for the rigors of the playoffs.

 

I voted Houston in 7, by the way. I need to hear health updates on Beverley and Parsons before I get more optimistic than that.

 

We win in 5. There will be one game where LMA will be on fire. Their one win will be close though.

 

I approve this message.

POR can't hang with us with Asik/Dwight.

Wouldn't be mad at 6 games though.

 

That was pathetic defense. But I think having 2 starters out who are your two best defenders and no bench is a large reason for it.

 

Blazer fan here. It should be a good series, but chippy as hell.