Game 12 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets
by ak2themax on Jan 14, 2012 9:01 AM CST
in Game Previews
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PrintMy favorite city in the United States is probably the home of the Rockets' opponent tonight: Portland. I have actually been to the City of Roses four times. I have crossed the Hawthorne Bridge, been to the International Rose Test Garden, and spent a whole day at OMSI.
I was this close to going to Lewis and Clark College or Willamette University only because I wanted to live in or around Portland. It is my dream destination as a physician, and holds a special place in my heart.
So it goes without much saying that my favorite NBA team besides the Rockets is the Trail Blazers. I have never been to the Rose Garden because I was either in town during the offseason or the club was on a road trip. It's on my bucket list.
I think it's the Blazers and their fans that are yet another reason I love the city. For years, I rooted for them to be the team to topple the Lakers dynasty, and I felt terrible when they had to rebuild after going all-in on those runs (the Jail Blazers stuff didn't help either). The Rockets can kind of understand some of those qualities, though technically the team has never officially "rebuilt."
Centers with foot problems? We can relate. Guards with knee problems? Yeah, that's a thing. An incredible SB Nation blog (Blazer's Edge for them)? The two best in the game. Rick Adelman connection? Yep. Clyde Drexler connection: Yep. Otis Thorpe connection? Yeah...
Their fans are awesome, and last year a guy (cavejunctionblazer) came over here to post his condolences about Yao's injury. And though I'll be rooting for the Rockets pretty hard, these games are always a little bittersweet for me. Though they are easier to swallow when they're in Houston.
Tip is at 7:00pm CT.
Quick programming note: BD34 will be doing the Wizards preview on Monday. I'll be back at it on Tuesday.
Matchups after the jump.
Matchups:
PG: Kyle Lowry vs. Raymond Felton:
I've never been much of a Raymond Felton fan, and it's not going to start today. He's shooting 35% from the field and 17% from the three point line. Of course that means he's going to go bananas against us tonight. He also gets about 7 assists per night, which is nice.
Oh man we need Courtney Lee back so badly. Last night the backups looked lost when Lowry wasn't on the court with them. I'm not saying that Lee suddenly makes the second unit run like they aren't chickens with their heads cut off. I just mean I think we'll be a little smoother and move the ball a little better with him out there.
Anyway, Lowry is better than Felton.
Advantage: Rockets
SG: Kevin Martin vs. Wesley Matthews:
Matthews plays very efficiently and can do a whole lot of things. Though he doesn't have Martin's capabilities on offense, he's still a really good shooter and can also defend as well. I'm not sure how Portland will play this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Matthews stick with Lowry, at least early.
But I've been wrong before. A lot of times before.
More Far Side!
Advantage: Rockets
SF: Chandler Parsons vs. Gerald Wallace:
Wallace is shooting a ridiculous 60% from two, but a mortal 31% from three. Keep him and his cohorts out of the paint and off the line and Rockets might have something here. In fact, the Blazers are shooting 81% from the foul line, good for best in the league early on this season. The Rockets need to turn the Blazers into a jump shooting team, just like they should turn every team into a jump shooting team.
It's not rockets science, it's Rockets Science! Man I'm funny.
Advantage: Blazers
PF: Luis Scola vs. LaMarcus Aldridge:
The safe bet is that LMA is the Rockets killer tonight. Long power forwards who can post up and generally have polished games usually abuse Scola and the Rockets. If Camby doesn't play, it allows the Rockets to choose how to guard Aldridge: either with Dalembert or even Patterson or Hill. But there's no denying that Aldridge is good, and his selection to the preliminary squad for Team USA is well deserved.
And Scola has officially proven the Charlotte game to be an outlier. And I'm seeing more and more that he's always in position for rebounds, but they're being grabbed by teammates before he can get them. Still, as long as he's boxing out properly and going for them, I don't really care how many he officially averages.
Advantage: Blazers
C: Samuel Dalembert vs. Marcus Camby:
Camby hurt his ankle last night against the Spurs. I have no clue whether or not he'll play. Their backup center is Kurt Thomas, though obviously Aldridge can play the 5 in a smaller lineup without really sacrificing too much.
Now that's the Samuel Dalembert the Rockets were hoping to get last night. Here comes the hard part. Was it just to punish the Kings, or is it something that he might sustain over the rest of the season?
Advantage: Even if Camby plays, Rockets otherwise
---
Bench:
Blazers: Jamal Crawford, Nicolas Batum, Craig Smith, Chris Johnson, Kurt Thomas
Rockets: Goran Dragic, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson
Advantage: Blazers
Injuries:
Blazers: Marcus Camby questionable
Rockets: Courtney Lee
Prediction: Rockets 100-95
Make sure you get in on TCWHRO (we have to figure out another way to say that)'s fantasy basketball game. Details here. Just make your predictions in the comments, and maybe explain how you came to that conclusion so we have something to talk about.
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McHale gets to show his strategic chops tonight... woooo!...
Looks like the Blazers might be playing small tonight w/ Aldridge at the 5 and Batum at the 4, so it should be an interesting game to see which way McHale decides to go. Scola at the 5? (uuugghgh) Parsons on Batum or Wallace? T-Will on anyone (hahahaha!) I’d much, much rather see Dalembert on Aldridge, as Scola seems to always be lit up by sweet-shooting bigs on teams that run plays for them. He’s funny that way. If the Rockets played themselves, both Luis Scola’s would probably get 30+ points. Can someone try this on NBA 2k12 please and report back?
Camby is out tonight. Nate suggested last night that Batum would start. Would look like this LA at the 5, Crash at the 4 and Batum at the 3.
It’s nice to hear your love of the city and some for our team. I hope you’re able to make it to Portland one day to watch a game, it’s definitely an experience to see a game at the RG. And good luck moving to Portland one day.
#52
Appreciate it
That lineup will cause issues for us. The Rockets aren’t nearly as athletic as I’d like for them to be right now, and that lineup looks like it can run us out of the gym.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
SamDam vs. LMA
Somehow, even with LaMarcus at center, I think the Blazers have an advantage there. He’s playing like a superstar. I felt really confident that Sammy would easily stop DeMarcus Cousins because Cousins isn’t good, but when it comes to guys with superstar-level skills, you can kind of throw issues like size out, I think. It just comes down to how you make your shots, and I think Aldridge can definitely do that.
Going small elsewhere makes the matchups at PF more interesting, however. I’d still give the advantage to Portland, though. This is going to be a very tough game for the Rockets.
I didn't want to get into all of that
Of course Aldridge gets the advantage where he plays, but I don’t know how else the Blazers will stack up against us so I just left it at that.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
One thing you should know is that Dalembert got a reputation
last year as being an Aldridge killer:
One key to Sacramento’s win was its defense on Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Blazers’ forward, who was selected the Western Conference player of the week on Monday, was held to nine points. Aldridge, who shot 4 of 14 from the floor, failed to score in double figures for the first time in 26 games.
The Kings’ primary defender on Aldridge was Samuel Dalembert, who had four blocked shots in 27 minutes. But the 6-foot-11 Dalembert received help when Aldridge moved into a position to make an offensive move.
“We mixed up the double teams and tried to make him play in a crowd as much as possible,” Sacramento coach Paul Westphal said.
Portland coach Nate McMillan credited Dalembert.
“They pretty much played [Aldridge] straight up with Dalembert and made him score over the top,” McMillan said. “He’s long. … He basically had a big presence on the defensive end of the floor.”
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap/_/id/310124022/sacramento-kings-vs-portland-trail-blazers
Thanks for that
Great stuff, I appreciate you coming over here and delivering that. Really cool.
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
Let's hope for the Rockets to dominate today.
Kinda like how Bonzo and Rockets4LIFE are doing. Remember, if you put down the person you believe is the “rockets-killer” and get it right, you get more bonus points!!
On to the scores.
Rockets4LIFE-212
.Bonzo-206
OJ ATM-202
ak2themax-188
sohum-188
RiiseRockets-183
twinkilling0303-177
jake_471-169
BD34-167
Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic-157
BuckeyeBob-157
Dmo_Htx-150
dech-149
craigj007-148
bone31crusher-135
galicae-132
Camouflage14-134
Irish Trasher-132
steeler-hater-126
Rocketsfanforbasketballreasons88-122
TWCIR-121
VBG-119
jbars-117
Rockets7-117
johnsmith-114
Slackary-113
btrizzle25-111
Mike Kerns-110
MeLioRate-110
Mellowman-110
AIDe2356-110
tunatango-110
arnold p-109
mitmil22-103
ShookednShanghaied11-102
AllenOU-96
makinmajik-96
Bighaircut-96
TiEaB-96
Mannan Ali-96
Valiant1-96
chuckiepoo-96
Nike86-96
f22a4bandit-96
Texas08-96
Christopher Dion Harris-92
olivarezq1-92
Rockets78-92
Xiane-92
taylorrohrman-92
lucneguye92-92
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 14, 2012 9:44 AM CST reply actions
My prediction is Portland 95-88 with Wesley Matthews making us look like fools
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 14, 2012 9:47 AM CST up reply actions
Pretty impressed
From dead last to the top half of the league in a very short time.
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
by Rockets4LIFE on Jan 14, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Only because half of the people don't post anything....lol.
But thank you for the compliment.
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 14, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
And to you R4L
Very impressive. with the max score of 265 (15*11+100??) you have gotten more 2/3 of the available points. Nice!
Appreciate it man!
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
by Rockets4LIFE on Jan 14, 2012 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Blazers 103-92
LMA kills us. just as he has killed everyone this year.
"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris
Rockets 98 Blazers 106
Aldridge.
Dallas and Houston fan making it work. Gig 'em!
Rockets 99 - Blazers 98
Jamal Crawford drops 30 on us (he’s the rocket killer), but Chandler Parsons wins us the game one way or the other.
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
Once again.
I have secured last minute seats thanks to this great site. I’d like to thank everyone who made those ticket deals possible!
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
If the past predicts the future
Sammy (Fools Gold) Dalembert will spend the next 3-4 games clanking jumpers and going 2-8 or so,convinced he’s a scorer. Then he’ll have another game where he makes some shots and the cycle repeats. Meh.
Rockets 95 – Blazers 92…
.
I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...
.
Dedicated to the "Pride of the Steelers"
.
This is a game the Blazers should win
but I’m going to go with the Rockets. Just a feel I have. 97-93 Rockets win, Aldridge being the killer.
by twinkilling0303 on Jan 14, 2012 10:38 AM CST reply actions
If you really believe Sammy will continue to play as well as last night...
You’re wrong…
So far Sam as been exactly what I expected him to be : A paint defender.
This game is at home, Rockets are good at home = Rockets win 93-87 despite the fact that it’s their 4 game in 5 nights.
LMA will be tonight’s Rox killer.
Blazers are really hard to play against in Portland
I say the Blazers take this 112-95. LMA and Wallace kill us, if I have to pick between one of them I think LMA is going to be the Rocket killer tonight.
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
It's in Houston tonight.
Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.
Bonzo is correct
Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713
Thanks for that!
I revise my prediction, Rockets win 103-97, LMA is still the Rocket killer
"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know."
-Hakeem Olajuwon
"Stern Sucks"
-Me
by Rockets4LIFE on Jan 14, 2012 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
hmmm.... this is an interesting match-up
both teams are gonna be playing their 4th game in 5 days and are on the second half of a back-to-back. i think the blazers are a better team but the rockets are going to defend home court.
rockets 99 – 94 blazers
rockets killer: jamal crawford
reasoning: both our benches suck and i think crawford is just gonna have one of those hot shooting nights. LMA was great yesterday in limited minutes, so he’d obviously be a threat, but i think we can hang with their first unit.
Actually the Blazers have a good bench...
Jamal Crawford and Nic Batum could start on most NBA teams
didn't address this before
batum was supposed to start tonight. their bench isn’t all that good after crawford. having 6 solid guys in rotation after an injury is not that great. i mean, we have like 7, with patterson and dragic off the bench. courtney lee makes 8 when he’s healthy.
Who's guarding Crawford?
For the love of God just put Terrence in even if it’s to guard Crawford only. That guy and LMA are going to kill us.
I hate david stern!
Rockets win 101 - 94
Dalembert has a big night for 2 in a row, Martin goes for 25, and Lowry is Lowry. If i have to call him a Rocket killer even though we win it would be LMA.
Rockets to win!
… but for the sake of the game there LMA, athletism and a much stronger bench blazers by 113 – 95
Rockets 99-93.
Aldridge will kill us like usual but I think Parsons will do a good job on Wallace and our bench will play better. Couldn’t be hard to play better than last night though. I like all our matchups except the aldridge and whoevers on Jcraw.
by Dmo_Htx on Jan 14, 2012 2:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Glad they don't have Patty Mills, he's their Rockets killer
Too much LMA and Jamal Crawford, Blazers win 97-89
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jan 14, 2012 2:59 PM CST reply actions
Gotta pick one..
"I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information." Bill Watterson~Calvin and Hobbes
by The Chuckwagon has rolled on on Jan 14, 2012 6:10 PM CST up reply actions
Blazers 106 Rockets 92
To make sure we got the win last night our starters played too many minutes. I hope I am wrong and they come out like they did against Atlanta but at least the bench will get some playing time.
Aldridge will light it up, not sure we have anybody to match up with him.
so I made it in time
and here’s my prediction: Rockets lose 102-89. Hoping to see another nice performance by Parsons.
97-93 rox
Just a hunch. I think Kyle goes nuts tonight.
by Christopher Dion Harris on Jan 14, 2012 4:57 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
We lose 99-87.
I think the starters will be tired in the 4th, due to the schedule, and the tight rotation.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
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