Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trailblazers - Game 6 - NBA Playoffs - 8:30PM CST
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 12:18 PM CDT
in Game Previews
65 comments
Alright, it's Game 6, the game most Rockets fans have said they would win the series in. So far it has gone according to plan. Of course Von Wafer is going to be out just to make it interesting. I'm going to keep this short, we all know the match-ups at this point, so I'm going to point out some things to look for tonight, and maybe even some wishful/hopeful thinking.
The Match-ups:
Point Guard
Brooks/Lowry vs. Blake/Rodriguez - Brooks and Lowry, I need a favor. Your heads are in this place on the wrong side of your bodies. You have had some really good games this series, it's time to revert back to those. I'm not saying you are the reason the Rockets lost, I'm saying you are one of the reasons they didn't win. Oh, and that Steve Blake guy? I know he had some tough games early, but in Games 4 and 5, that's who he is. If you wouldn't mind guarding him, that would be really sweet of you.
Edge: Rockets - Brooks and Lowry WILL step up tonight, I have no doubt
Shooting Guard
Battier/Barry/Artest vs. Roy/Fernandez- In my mind, Roy is going to get his points, what's important is for Battier and Artest to stop Rudy Fernandez. No Von Wafer tonight will really hurt if Rudy is allowed to score more than 10 points. Battier and Barry are going to have to counter with about 18 points between the two tonight. For some strange reason I think they are both up to that challenge on the offensive end.
Edge: Trailblazers - Paging the No Stats All Star, I want to see all of your defense you have at your disposal tonight
Small Forward
Artest/Battier vs. Batum/Outlaw - It's time Crazy Pills, officially. You've been storing up actual shot making all series, it's time to unleash it. Batum isn't going to do much and Outlaw doesn't like you being physical with him. It's time to unleash the fury. Dunk on some fools, have fun, get to the second round, get money
Edge: Rockets
Power Forward
Scola/Landry/Hayes vs. Aldridge/Frye - Scola was killing it in Game 5, then the Rockets went away from him. Granted, they did so to get Yao involved, so that's okay. But when you took Yao out of the game/ couldn't get him the ball, why didn't you go back to Scola? Aldridge was also on fire in Game 5 and has been good to great this series. He's not playing a ton of defense as usual, though he is working the help defense well. This matchup will not decide the series unless Carl Landry decides to show up full on for 20 minutes tonight.
Edge: Even - It's been proven to be so
Center
Yao/Hayes vs. Przybilla/Oden - I have a theory about Bennett Salvatore being the head official tonight. Every second that Kobe Bryant and the Lakers aren't playing the NBA feels that it is losing money. Maybe tonight is the night the Rockets finally come out on the good end of the worse official to ever step foot on a court. We'll know in the first quarter. Oden could foul out in 7 minutes tonight if that is the case.
Edge: Rockets - 32 and 15, book it
Injuries:
From NBA.com:
Houston Rockets guard Von Wafer has been ruled out for tonight's Game 6 playoff contest against the Portland Trailblazers due to muscle spasms in his lower back. Wafer underwent MRI and X-ray tests at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center yesterday afternoon which revealed a bulging disc as the cause for the spasms. He will be listed as day-to-day.
My Prediction: This game is important to me. The Rockets have to find a way to win. This is a game that should mean so much to these guys that even Ron Artest can't miss. I need to see that fire. Rockets win, it's just our time. (Oh, and yes, I said our, I say we. I pay for this team, I write about it, I love it, they always say they can't do it without us, so we are in it together)
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Good luck
As a Blazers fan, I have no idea whatsoever what will happen. it should be close, like every game after game 1 has been…
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 12:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rockets by 8
Calling it now. Rockets take the lead during the first, pull ahead double digits at the half. Let blazers make a run in the third to narrow to 3, then finish it with solid, slow ball movement to get up by 8 and win.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the ROCKETS BENCH..
well have some tough time scoring tonight. i see all your starters playing a lot.. (which isn’t a good sign)
"Awesome! Totally awesome! All right, Hamilton!"
by B-ROYalty on Apr 30, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The blazer bench...
Will have a tough time scoring again tonight. I of course say this stating no reason but seems to make sense.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aside from Rudy, who on the Blazer's bench has been a scoring threat?
You can’t say Outlaw, when Batum plays 2 minutes and then its Outlaw the rest of the way. That’s a starter who isn’t in for the jump.
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one really...
Oden can dominate the smaller guys and get some put backs but I wouldn’t call him a scoring threat. Bayless can take it to the rim but he only plays garbage time.
by Escrote on Apr 30, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
personally i don't see
nate giving any trust to the rookies in what could be their last playoff game. fernandez of course is the exception since hes got bundles of exp. from before. i expect to see the starters playing near 40 minutes each.
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the houston rockets need to have....
THE EYE OF THE TIGER TONIGHT !!! Go rockets
" the rockets are here to kick ass and chew bubble gum , and they are all out of bubble gum "
by TkDbLkBlT on Apr 30, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Its time..
for the Rockets to put this series in the books. Lets pull it out in front of the home crowd, get a big win guys.
by wescox10 on Apr 30, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No mention of Yao's minutes?
First time all season he has played 40+ minutes in back to back games (4 and 5).
"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 30, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He didn't do it in the season
So that he’d be ready to do it in the playoffs
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bennett Salvatore?
Are they fucking kidding?
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 12:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tough game...
Chuck Hayes needs to be on LMA all 4th quarter
Brent Barry needs to make his 3s
Kyle Lowry needs to take it to the basket
Aaron Brooks needs to chose to pass before shooting
Ron Artest needs to go Crazy pills
Shane Battier needs to give Yao the ball
Yao Ming needs to get open
and Luis Landry needs to keep doing what they’ve been doing
The recipe for a win!
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Apr 30, 2009 12:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
with hayes on the floor
it will be 4 on 5 offensive.
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay why is Battier and Artest listed as both SG and SF.... yet Fernandez is listed only at SG?
Rudy will be playing a lot of SF tonight. Also shouldn’t the PG matchup be even? Sure Brooks and Lowry are athletic but Blake is the one with experience winning it all.
by Escrote on Apr 30, 2009 12:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So experience is better than athleticism.
Then Rockets win by 25 tonight.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm... not sure how even equates to better but whatever you say.
by Escrote on Apr 30, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Rockets have been better at the PG spot as a whole this series
Blake really hasn’t been good except for last game. Though I’m a huge Blake fan.
And yes, I guess Rudy should have been listed as a SF too
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
IMO
Blake has been the best PG on the floor in games 3, 4 and 5. Plus a lot of Brook’s points in game one were after Yao had sealed it and a lot of Brook’s points in game 2 were after the game was over. I will say though that Lowry is a better back-up than Sergio. We’ll call it a difference of opinion.
by Escrote on Apr 30, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blake make game 3 competitive
Without a bunch of plays he made in the 3rd, Portland never gets close….
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
better play like samurai warriors, no lost is acceptable its about honor!
by o_oholycrap on Apr 30, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blazers by 4
Portland knows they can win in Houston. Lost 2 games by a combined 4 points, and in both they played pretty dang poorly. Tonight they will do what it takes to pull it out, plus they have nothing to lose. Absolutely all the pressure is on the Rockets.
Houston fans, you better hope and pray that you win tonight because you have absolutely no chance in a game 7 in Portland. Not only would the atmosphere be ridiculous, but the whole Rockets team would be under extreme pressure about losing in the first round again.
by Cvd2312 on Apr 30, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Rockets
LITERALLY know they can win in Portland but they still lost by 10 the other night. I keep trying to figure out where all this “Blazers know they can win in Houston” business keeps coming from when they’re yet to win in Houston not only in the post season but the regular season as well.
And FOR THE LAST TIME. The pressure is on the Blazers. Let give you a couple of good reasons:
1.) As stated above, the Blazers are 0 for 4 this year at the Toyota Center.
2.) It’s an elimination game.
3.) The Blazer’s have been a sub-.500 team all year on the road, why is this supposed to change now?
4.) The Rockets are too hungry to lose – even without Wafer’s spark off the bench.
5.) Battier has been exponentially better at home this series.
Now you tell me, how again is the pressure on the Rockets?
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Artest4Prez on Apr 30, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pressure on the rockets
well lets see, you havent been out of the first round in how long? the Blazers are a VERY young team whos goal for the year was to make it to the playoffs, even if our season ends here, big deal, we come back healthy next year and dominate the post season, well we dominate so long as we dont have to play the rockets. face it, you need this much more than we do, you guys are hungry for a round 2 against LA, i respect that and if you do make it, i will be rooting for you to take out LA and even to get a ring for Deke.
Good Luck and may the best team win!
-murhpi
"the secret ingredient is LOVE damnit"
by murhpi on Apr 30, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pressure on the blazers
You guys haven’t been out of the first round in how long? *cough cough
The rockets are a very young team with a VERY VERY big blank check, $23 million to be precise, and a MUCH MUCH bigger playing environment for international status. Meaning there is LA, New York, Chicago, and Houston.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
huh? you lost me on that.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
by Gekko Mojo on Apr 30, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well i actually wouldn't call us "very young"
but you’re right on with our financial flexibility. Tmac will be an expiring contract (AKA 23 million dollar trade asset) and the market for cap savings has never been as big as it is now. Yao appears to have just reached his prime, and we also have a group of relatively young talent to surround him with. Combine that with a big sports market and an owner who is not afraid to spend, I’m not sure Houston’s future is any less brighter than Portland’s.
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Knowing is different from doing
I mean we KNOW we can win in Utah… we just rarely do. The Blazers haven’t won a game in Toyota Center all year and I don’t see them breaking through tonight, especially if Houston comes out focused.
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For those in Houston?
Are people going to come out tonight with the swine flu worries? I would hope so, honestly, I don’t want to face anything but Houston’s best crowd….
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 2:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The thing is...
It’s flu. It’s not SARS and its not even avian flu. It’s a nasty flu, which DOES kill hundreds of thousands worldwide every year, but so far seems not much more than that. Flu pandemics have been horrible, of course, but I’m wondering if the alarm bells aren’t too loud for what we’ve seen so far.
We’ve seen what, 1000 cases out of a population approaching 450 million in the NAFTA countries?
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, I know
Its being way overblown by the media of course but had to ask since everyone seems to be panicking….
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Noone will skip cause of the flu
But just in case, if you guys are afraid, I will sacrifice my body to cheer on the Rockets for you. Hell, I will bring you some chicken noodle soup when I pick up your ticket.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not the freaking plague
It’s business as usual here
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good to hear
If the Blazers win tonight I want no excuses about this…
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has Roy infected Portland with it?
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No offense, but this write up seems very biased... And usually they have been spot on...
Granted this is the Rocket blog, and I’m a Blazer fan.. So my prediction would be biased as well… But, I’d say the ONLY clear advantage the Rockets have is at the center position with Yao. But, they haven’t found a way to get him to dominate like game 1, and the Pryzzy/Oden combo isn’t too far behind. Brooks is NOT better than Blake, and Rodriguez looked very good in spot minutes Game 5. Brooks doesn’t know if he should be a scorer or distributor.. He doesn’t quite fit in to your system yet, but give him time. Roy/Rudy/Outlaw are WAY better than Battier and Artest. And Aldridge is better than Scola (close though). I am a huge fan of Scola, but LMA is just too good. The only question is whether the Blazers will show up… And also, whether the Rockets can take advantage of Yao. I love Yao by the way.. He’s awesome. I also like the Rockets, so I’m hoping for a great game.
Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch
by two buck chuck on Apr 30, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
and yet...
our 3rd leading scorer (Scola) in the regular season has neutralized your 2nd leading scorer (LMA) in this series. Just wait until Crazy Pills has a big game tonight.
by grungedave on Apr 30, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
How much better has LMA been than our PF combo? If he’s on with his shot, he’s dangerous, when he isn’t, he’s a soft PF who won’t go inside. At least on us.
Roy is an elite player. He’s a guy we just try to make worse. If he scores 24 but has to take more shots to get it, our work is done.
Rudy is a dangerous player. Outlaw is simply streaky, and when he’s good, he’s a great 3rd option. Nothing I’ve seen from him makes me particularly fearful of his game, only that we might draw him on a hot night. You can say the same for Brooks, and Artest. If anyone’s due, it’s Ron Ron.
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I quote "and maybe even some wishful/hopeful thinking. "
I just couldn’t keep saying the same things over and over again.
The Rockets are far and away better at the SF position. Be it Battier or Artest, it doesn’t matter, they are better than Batum/Outlaw, it’s not close.
And I like Blake, a lot, I even think Portland fans underrate him. But with the exception of Game 5, the Rockets have owned that spot. In game one I think I even said advantage Portland there.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
here's my assessment as a Blazer fan
PG – even
SG – Blazers
SF – Rockets
PF – even
C – Rockets
Bench – even without Wafer
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Apr 30, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that looks about right to me
but you forgot Coaching – Mcmillan
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, does Barry get Wafer's minutes?
Its not a huge edge, but Blazer’s fans will take every little bit that gives us a hope of a game 7.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
by Gekko Mojo on Apr 30, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess, I don't really know.
You have found the weakness in the bench. No McGrady, no Wafer = no SG. Barry is basically a spot up shooter at this point, but maybe he’ll go all Rudy on you and you can enjoy that. ;)
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll likely get the minutes
But it will be distributed a little differently I think
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
by UofTOrange on Apr 30, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When this series is over, I'll miss Xiane the most.
I’ll miss UofTOrange too … but will continue to be miffed by the fact that he keeps doing breakdowns that list Artest and Battier as both twos and a threes but Roy as only a two. By now, I’m guessing you’ve seen enough of Roy at both the 1 and the 3 to know that slotting him as only a two is doing nothing more than raising false hopes! In addition, clearly the 4 is manned by LMA and Outlaw at this point in the series.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
by Gekko Mojo on Apr 30, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed... Frye only plays if Oden and Przy get in foul trouble.
Outlaw is onyl good offensively at the 4. Rudy plays 2 and 3. Roy can play 1, 2 and 3
by Escrote on Apr 30, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please suit up James White
Let him loose.
by hardgay on Apr 30, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please god, I ask you to just give us this win, please..
Gimme some sack lunch
by SackLunch on Apr 30, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, sweet, looks like I'll be at the game tonight.
Houston has absolutely no fear of what would happen if every foul on Yao was called, and every foul Yao committed was called.
by Xiane on Apr 30, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
goOO blazers, should be a close game either way, may the better team tonight win
if brandon roy played for toronto he'd be brandon waaaaah
by R1cEbUrNeR on Apr 30, 2009 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Game 6 baby
How about Brian Cook? Jack up some threes. =)
If I’m the Rockets, I will live with Outlaw’s contested jumpers.
If I’m the Portland, I will give tonnes of room for Artest to shoot instead of driving or passing.
by True_Warrior on Apr 30, 2009 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Scary thought
There is a reason crazy pills has a 40% 3-point average. Cause he will out of the blue drain 5 threes in a row. Why now, why not any other time, its crazy pills.
And as the saying goes, he is do.
by texasag on Apr 30, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't put money on this game....
Because I seriously don’t know how this game will turn out. It could go either way….
by jenstcy on Apr 30, 2009 5:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You forgot to mention!
Today is Luis Scola’s 29th birthday. He’s not losing tonight.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
by ak2themax on Apr 30, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good luck guys.
i figured it was portland in 7 but i know our chances aren’t good tonight. I hope we’ll pull through but I’m already happy with what we’ve done. everything else is icing on the cake. at least, maybe now, we’ll get some respect on the road after losing the last two games by a total <4.
Funny how much of a difference 1 bucket makes.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".
...no seriously--stop.
by nima on Apr 30, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
wish there was an edit button. take away the <.
Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".
...no seriously--stop.
by nima on Apr 30, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My assessment?
1 – Roy vs Brooks – Blazers
2 – Roy vs Artest/Battier – Blazers
3 – Roy vs Artest/Battier – Blazers
4 – LMA vs Scola – Blazers
5 – Yao vs Triple Team – Yao
6 – Rudy vs Wafer – Rudy
7 – Sarge vs Sleepy – PUSH
8 – Clyde vs Mike Rice – PUSH
9 – Xiane vs grungedave vs UofT – Ben of Blazer’s Edge
Hmmm, not sure where that leaves us. Have fun tonight.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
by Gekko Mojo on Apr 30, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Where is the Starters Assessment??
Both teams have good benches… but I’d like to look at the STARTERS seeing as they play the bulk of the minutes (except for Batum):
PG – Blazers
SG – Blazers (in a big way)
SF – Rockets
PF – Blazers
C – Rockets (in a big way)
Bench – Blazers (only since Wafer is out otherwise even)
Starters tend to have more effect on a game anyway… this should at least be talked about. The benches are equally as important as any one of the major starters though.
by 12 Deep on Apr 30, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good luck folks
I’m glad our series isn’t marred by any of the head hunting crap the other series going on have….keep it clean…
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What the heck is going on with Wafer
Is he hurt or not? I don’t care although it’s kind of annoying that they said he was out….
Proud member of Duck nation!
by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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