Message Boards > Trail Blazers Talk
Pre-Game Thoughts
You are not authorized to post a reply.
  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6475

    Posted 12/05/2009 10:31 AM

    The 11-8 Rockets travel into the Rose City winners of 3 straight, good enough to boost their record to 11-8, which places them currently in 7th place in the Western Conference. Many people immediately wrote off Houston as soon as the news broke about Yao missing the entire season, but Blazer fans should know that you can never count out a Rick Adleman coached team. With the emergence of Aaron Brooks into a borderline All-Star player and the free agent acquisition of Trevor Ariza, their offense hasn't really missed a beat, by putting up 102 points per game. The only problem is their defense is near the bottom ten in the league by allowing a little over 100 a game, which is where Yao's true presence is missed.

    Despite turning the ball over 25+ times in the season opener, Portland cruised to a 15+ win, but Houston got their revenge on Halloween night in the face of Roy scoring a season-high 42 points. These teams have seen a lot of each other lately, 6 times in April and now 3 times in the first 21 games, so both should know exactly what the other is going to do. It will all come down to execution. Portland needs to keep Brooks out of the paint, contain Scola, Hayes, and Landry on the glass, and figure out somebody to guard Ariza, who was the main reason why Houston won on Halloween night with a career-high 33 points and 5 made 3 point field goals. Houston needs to force Portland to be a perimeter team, create turnovers, and control the boards as Portland leads the NBA in rebounding differential at over +5.

    I haven't seen so much uncertainty around a regular season game in a long time. Losers of three straight games, fans in Portland are nervous as they are in uncertain waters, because Portland only had one three game losing streak all of last year. If that wasn't enough to deal with both Oden and Cunningham are listed as probable and should go, but you still never know and LaMarcus is a game-time decision. The cherry on top of the sundae has to be Coach Nate requiring surgery on a torn Achilles suffered while practicing with the team yesterday and will miss his coaching duties at least through the upcoming 4 game road trip. It will be very interesting to see how lead assistant Dean Demopoulos manages the game. Does he have instructions from Nate or will he venture off in his own direction of coaching? While listening to Wheels at Work yesterday, Jason Quick said he believed the change was going to be made soon in regards to switching Blake with Miller in the starting lineup and maybe even Rudy for Webster, but will these happen with Nate out?

    With all of these uncertainties, it is nearly impossible to predict this game, but you have to believe Portland will finally be well rested, after their first 3 consecutive days off in the season, and hungry to end this losing streak. With or without LMA, I believe Roy will assert himself and will this team to victory. Another huge key is Greg. He must stay out of foul trouble, because he should be able to score, block, and rebound at will against players 4-5 inches shorter than he is.

    Game 21 Prediction: Trail Blazers 97 Rockets 94
    I am a fan of
- Hide
   
 
 
 
 
   

    Recent Discussions

  1. Rebuilding The MAGIC Way

    Started by cmeese47 on 05/10/13 at 2:09 PM

    I dunno, I like the rain. I play a lot of video games.

  2. Roster Ideas?

    Started by Aaron Childers on 05/18/13 at 4:25 AM

    I wanted Jeremy Lamb toooooo, but out of the people Damian could of picked he said Meyers was who he wanted at 11. And yeah he''s really good in 2k.

  3. Rebuild Diagram 2.0

    Started by cmeese47 on 05/17/13 at 2:53 PM

    Yeah his body shape is so ugly haha

  4. The Mock Draft Thread

    Started by DHawes22 on 05/08/13 at 10:16 AM

    Rumors have shown that the Rockets are very interested in Dwight Howard and that the interest is mutual.

    I''d trade for Asik.

  5. draft

    Started by Aaron Childers on 05/16/13 at 8:17 PM

    Sanders better shotblocker, better dunker and around the rim, Asik better defensively. I think Asik will have the better career.

  6. I'm just going to say it.

    Started by RipCity 14 on 05/17/13 at 12:47 PM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE2G4E16L3Y


    I saw this vid last year and almost started crying 


    lol

  7. Will "The Thrill" Barton

    Started by Siccolo on 05/18/13 at 3:49 PM

    Well, I still think he won''t do great in his career. Seems weak.

  8. offseason .

    Started by Mistafab322 on 05/17/13 at 1:07 PM

    Ah. Thanks Cmeese. I''m more of a stats and eye test man myself. Never bothered to learn about the salaries and stuff.

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  ... 
Active Forums 4.1
NOT LICENSED FOR PRODUCTION USE
www.activemodules.com
The latest from
Everybody
RipCity 14 commented on Rebuilding The MAGIC Way / opey541 joined group Season Ticket Holders / uprised updated their fan statement / Siccolo created new forum topic Will "The Thrill" Barton / riverman and RipCity 14 are friends now / daddy updated their Starting 5 / burqueballer uploaded new photo / deb-smith updated their scrapbook / MJB uploaded new video /