i'm sure it'll be very competitive, and i'm sure we'll see a different blazers team, but if yao and the rest shoot as well as we did, there's no way we lose. our defense is just too good, we just need to hit our shots.
It's playoff. Every game is a MUST WIN. And every team knows that. Until we win 4, nothing is secured. I believe the Rockets know this better than anyone else.
This will probably set the tone for the rest of the series, because if they win they feel really comfortable coming into the Toyota Center so we better not give them confidence. Next game will probably be one of the hardest games of the series and will be very close
it would be a HUGE win good thing we will have a lot of great video to look at from this performance and try to duplicate/improve them for game 2 if aaron can keep getting those good looks and finishing and if yao can stay out of foul trouble and play the whole game. arest was efficient and thats how he needs to play, not jacking up alot of shots and dribbling the clock out, he had only 12 attempts and he should stay in that range unless hes open from deep cause thats where his % is high. luis played a good game and on the bright side we didnt hear much from landy, which is not going to happen often barry is going to be useful down the strench because of his experience. also would of liked to see james white in garbage stime instead of cook
The Blazers have lost five consecutive playoff openers, dating to the Western Conference finals of 2000. It's up to the Rockets to show some killer instinct and not let up.
Yea every game is a must win, but I was talking more about the mindest we have to have. It's like we handle adversity great but if we're up and have a chance to put the hammer down, we love to relax and let them back in it.
Also if they make adjustments (ie fronting) we tend to panic/make bad decisions. I hope this won't be the came in Game 2
Aaron seems to always turn on the jets in Portland - wants to play well in front of his homies. Did you see them waiting around for him after the game during the post-game with Matt and Kevin? There was a little kid on the court with Brooks' Rockets "0" Jersey on and 6 or so adults waiting around for Brokks to come out after the game. Brooks will get us through this series. He has a comfort zone in Portland.
this will be a dog fight game, POR is a very good and talent team, They will bounce back. YAO will need to find a way to get 25 points with high percentage shots. Artest and Brooks will have to cool down. a must win game, dont give them any chance to make run and re-build the confidence. 2-0 will make the series become 4-0.. go Rockets..!
Yeah the Rockets aren't going to show mercy though. They didn't even show it in game 1. They were playing aggressively and fighting for every precession like a game 7. Don't show mercy rockets!
