ClutchFans Game Thread: Blazers @ Rockets 2/27/2004

it's not just nice. it IS PRICELESS

 

This should be a very close game tonight. Both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, something the Blazers aren't used to doing this late in the season. So you know they aren't going to go down easy. But I still like the Rockets chances at home.

Rockets 91

Blazers 89

 

Spoon will shut down Randolph, SAR, Bill Walton, or anyone else we ask him to guard. Rockets win.

87-79

 

Definitely one of the biggest games so far this year.

C'mon ROX.

 

Aside from his mini-slump after the Shareef trade, and a couple games when Rasheed was injured earlier in the year, nobody has really been able to shut down Randolph all year. I doubt Houston will be able to either (he went for 31 and 11 last game). So he'll most likely get his points and grab alot of boards. And then you have SAR, and Ratliff's defense do deal with inside.

So I think the key to winning is the guard play and making sure Damon and Derek Anderson don't go off on us.

-Nick-

 

Like other games, how we do depends on how our inside-out game works. Sure, SAR and Randolph provides mismatches for them at the forwards, but Yao theoretically has a big advantage at center should he get the calls he deserve.

Also, SAR is going to have a hard time defending JJ on the outside. So if JJ can knock down his jumpers, he can negate SAR's scoring.

I think the Rockets pull this one out in a close one: 88-83.

 

I Will Be a Tonights Rocket Game and hope to see them win.

 

Yao has been shooting well this season against Portland, I think something like 12-23.

But he has sucked against Theo Ratliff. Last matchup between them Yao shot 2-11. I hope he can snap out of it. I would hate to see him have another poor night against him.

The Blazers may have a 5 game winning streak, BUT the wins are against SCRUBS, there were no true opponents during that stint.

 

This may be a game where Yao should play in the high post. Get Ratliff away from the basket to allow the guards more room to work with on drives into the paint. I don't believe the Blazers play zone.

 

I'll be in section 115! Yahoo!!!! Gotta love it when the boss gets tickets from customers, and they end up in my mitts!

 

francia will suck as usual, say 3-15 from field and as usual get lit up by opposing pg, say 20 and 8..we still have a chance,but francis gets the ball with 24 seconds left and us down by 1, dribbles for 23 seconds and shoots an air ball from 30 feet to end the game...blazers 99-98....

 

When Z smacked Yao, he had a look of disbelief. Yao may want to do some punishing inside the circle tonight.

 

Free throw hurts

 

Taylor has been playing bad since all star break.

 

did you see that slam dunk by yao over ratliff?!? that was sick!!! he DUNKED on him.

i was scared for a second when yao landed on mo's foot in that pile up. mo's ankles make me real nervous.

 

yao gave theo a faical...priceless.

 

Did Yao just dunked on Ratliff?

 

I hate Offense foul............Ming is out

 

Francis time now.

 

I can't watch the game, is that flop that gave Yao the 3rd foul?