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Game 5 - Houston Rockets at Portland Trailblazers Thursday 9:30PM CST

Img_4429_tiny by UofTOrange on


Game_5_-_portland_top_medium

Portland Trailblazers 1-3 (1-0 at home),  1-3 in their last 10
All Time , 1630- 1458, 71-87 vs. Houston

Houston Rockets 3-1 (1-0 on the road), 3-1 in their last 10
All Time1687-1647, 87-71 vs Portland

The Match-ups:

 

Alston vs. Blake – Considering Dave and I both want Steve Blake on the Rockets as our starter you’d think I’d be all over this match-up.  If you wanted to win a street ball game, Rafer all the way, if you want a guy that runs an offense and doesn’t kill you shooting, then Steve Blake is the perfect fit for your team.  The guy is shooting 46% from the field and 53% from the three point line.  He doesn’t get the high assist numbers because of the offense they run and Brandon Roy having the ball in his hands a lot.    

Edge – Trailblazers – Blake to this point is really outplaying Mr. Alston.  That’s not to say that Rafer hasn’t been a solid ball handler and hasn’t taken a ton of bad shots.  It’s just that I would prefer Blake running the point for the Rockets.  I’m happy with Rafer right now though, and there aren’t a lot of players I’d take (non-superstar) over him right now for this team.  However, he has to figure out how to hit some shots though.

 

McGrady vs. Roy – Right now Tracy McGrady is doing everything he has to for this team to work.  He’s obviously laboring and still making things happen.  Though if he doesn’t stop shooting three pointers, I don’t think my heart is going to make it the rest of the season.  That said, Brandon Roy is better at this point in his career and is only 24.  He’s not better than Tracy at 24, but that’s not the point.  

Edge – Tossup - Tracy has been playing too well and their stats are dead even.

 

Artest vs. Batum – The guy I wanted for the Rockets more than any other player (but CP3) in the league vs. the guy I didn’t want, at all, for any reason.  I hope Batum turns into a fine player, but I simply do not like the hit rate for guys like him.  Too much risk and not enough reward.  In essence we got Artest by trading Batum, that’s a HUGE win for the Rockets   

Edge – Rockets - it’s not close.

 

Scola vs. Aldridge – Both players are very, very good.  Both are favorites in the league of mine.  I have ties to LaMarcus at Texas and to Luis as a Rocket.  There are not a lot of  PFs other than the two of them, outside of David West, that I’d rather have on my team.  If not for Scola’s benching in the fourth quarter of the Memphis game, their numbers would be almost identical. Scola’s defense is vastly improved and I think Aldridge could average 20 a game this year.  

Edge – Tossup – This was the toughest call to make.  I think  Aldridge is fantastic, but so is Scola.  The edge would go to the Rockets if you include all of Luis Landry, but one on one, I’m calling it a tossup.  

 

Yao vs. Przybilla – While the big guy out of Minnesota has only shot the ball 9 times in 4 games while averaging 29 minutes, he has hit 7 of those.  He’s also a cool 3-11 from the free throw line, so I’m guessing  89% of those shots were dunks or lay ups.  I’ve also been impressed with his improved rebounding.  Enough has been said about Yao’s lack of explosiveness right now, so I’ll save it.  That said, Yao is pissed offa bout his performance on Tuesday night.  Opposing teams don’t like to see Yao after he gets pissed off about the game before.  

Edge – Rockets - while the big stiff white guy (personally I always root for them) is much improved, even non-explosive Yao is worlds better

I said before the season that I thought the Rockets would lose this game.  I think they are playing better than Portland right now, however and pull it out. 

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I'll be watching the game at Buffalo Wild Wings.

I’ll be the guy still ranting about the loss to the celtics while everyone else will be trying to concentrate on the game and getting on with their lives in general.

Your a ten, but I'm on eleven!

by JakedaSnake on Nov 6, 2008 11:28 AM CST   0 recs

BW3s ya say?

Watching a basketball game at BW3s is wayyyyy too distracting to me!

by grungedave on Nov 6, 2008 12:21 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I felt the Rockets bullied Portland in their matchups last season. Hurt them in the paint and on the glass.

Rockets should win tonight. Not the best of first quarters though.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:17 PM CST   0 recs

Scola started strongly….

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!! Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by sivanjohn on Nov 6, 2008 10:18 PM CST   0 recs

Thanks buddy, glad to be here…

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!! Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by sivanjohn on Nov 6, 2008 10:26 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I could not be happier with his play this season, or last for that matter

But the refs are going to see that he’s in control of his body even if his hair is all over the place.

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 10:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Bring back T-Mac & Scola in….

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!! Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by sivanjohn on Nov 6, 2008 10:24 PM CST   0 recs

Another second quarter charge led by Brooks

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:26 PM CST   0 recs

Stop that Rudy Fernandez!

VAMOS ARGENTINA!!! Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com

by sivanjohn on Nov 6, 2008 10:27 PM CST   0 recs

It looks like Yao is trying to find his confidence. A bit hesitant early on tonight. He needs a couple of baskets to get going.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:28 PM CST   0 recs

Don't strain yourself, Yao

Dude looks so, so beat… and I’m not even down on him. He’s just had the one bad game… but man, he just isn’t right.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 10:34 PM CST   0 recs

I dunno, man

A guy who goes as hard as Yao, who has as much physical awkwardness as he still does – I’d love to see them never ever put him in there past 35 minutes – unless he’s just unconsciously hot.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 10:43 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yep.

And I LOVE the guy. I’ve always been a huge, huge fan. But I’ve also always known what we’ve got in him – an incredible offensive weapon who is more often than not a defensive liability.

He’s just got so, so much heart. I would never trade him.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 10:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Any word on Shane Battier? How close is he to returning?

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:44 PM CST   0 recs

Well, apparently we don't need him according to ESPN

They had us listed as “No significant injuries” today

And what I heard last was another week or two. More like two. He has to be cleared by the team doctor first and they don’t think he’s ready.

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 10:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Rockets taken the lead 51-50. Surprising that they’re ahead. Not the best of halves, but they’ve hung tough and battled away.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:49 PM CST   0 recs

Nice shot by Aldridge to take the lead into the half

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Good rhythm to the game, lots of back and forth. Not too many breaks …. not many FTs.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 10:53 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Chuck is cracking me up

Him saying someone isn’t playing defense is awesome since he played about 5 minutes of it in his career

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 10:56 PM CST   0 recs

Also uh...

Is he really going to run for office in Alabama? Oy. He’s going to regret throwing that dude through a window… and the gambling problems… and and and….

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 10:58 PM CST   0 recs

It hasn't really reared it's head yet, but great googly moogly this is an awful referee crew

Salvatore AND Palmer on the same court? And that doesn’t even include Goble who is horrific

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 11:17 PM CST   0 recs

Sigh.

How many fouls does Yao have? He’s playing like he has five.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 11:18 PM CST   0 recs

That's twice in this quarter he hasn't even bothered to challenge

On wide open dunks/layups. :(

You’ve gotta at least make them work for it!

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 11:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Aldridge is tearing the team apart right now.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 11:19 PM CST   0 recs

Son of a bitch!!

Point blank! Finish!!

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 11:23 PM CST   0 recs

Seems like a theme this season so far

Turn up the heat when it gets close to the 4th quarter. Our D is starting to cause some problems for them.

…and I love that on some nights T-Mac can just keep in the rhythm of the game, but still not be the first or second scoring option – then he can strike for a five minute stretch like he is right now.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 11:28 PM CST   0 recs

Agreed, in theory that's the best part of the Artest trade

And Chuck Hayes needs to never shoot, seriously

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 11:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I agree, I think the team needs Deke. They need his defensive presence in the paint.

I like Hayes but I’m bewildered as to why he’s playing when the team has such a great combination at power forward with Scola and Landry. Even with the backup five, most of those minutes should be heading their way.

by NBR on Nov 6, 2008 11:37 PM CST   0 recs

I like him a lot too, but we have two strong options at the 4, he’s only still here because we inexplicably gave him a long contract

by UofTOrange on Nov 6, 2008 11:39 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Shit

Not starting well. We need this game. Tough road trip.

I can feel that any minute now we’re going to start reverting to hoisting up 3s.

by HoustonDiehards on Nov 6, 2008 11:41 PM CST   0 recs