With only days remaining until the 2014 playoff series tips off, Houston vs Portland will be one of the best series to watch with 2 of the best offensive teams in the NBA in a tightly contested matchup. The series could easily go either way, with Houston leading the season series 3-1, who will win this playoff series? To take a closer look, I will take you through each of the match ups.
via blog.chron.com
Point Guard Season Average vs Portland/Houston
Houston: Patrick Beverly 12.5 PPG, 1.5 AST, 1.0 TO, 44% 28% 3PT
Portland: Damian Lillard 18.8 PPG, 5.0 AST, 4.0 TO, 38% 42% 3PT
Beverly has been key to stopping Lillard during the series this season, he has stopped Lillard and needs to do it again against Portland to get Houston the Win.
Winner: Lillard
Shooting Guard
Houston: James Harden 30 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 48% 44% 3PT
Portland: Wesley Matthews 20 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.3 APG 41% 30% 3PT
Both great offensive guards although Harden has been an offensive beast against Portland this year, if Portland can hold him, they have a big shot at winning it.
Winner: Harden
Small Forward
Houston: Chandler Parsons 17.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 46%, 33% 3PT
Portland: Nicholas Batum 10 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.8 APG, 40% 28% 3PT
Two quality Small Forwards who both are key players to their individual teams, they have both played similar and are the X Factors for the teams winning.
Winner: Parsons
Power Forward
Houston: Terrence Jones 4PPG, 2RPG, 1 APG, 50% 0% 3PT
Portland: LaMarcus Aldridge 26.8PPG, 15.5 RPG, 1.5 APG 44% 50% 3PT
On the defensive end Jones, although a good defender gets smashed by Aldridge who goes inside or for the Jumper, Houston has tried with different defenders but can’t stop Aldridge. Aldridge also takes many offensive rebounds causing anger in Houston’s offense. The reason Jones can’t put numbers up is because he is being benched for his defense.
Winner: Aldridge
Center
Houston: Dwight Howard 25PPG, 13.5RPG, 1.8BPG 63%
Portland: Robin Lopez 10PPG, 5RPG, 2.8BPG 59%
Dwight has dominated in this matchup although Robin Lopez has been a pain to the Rockets when Howard helps Jones with Aldridge, Lopez then hits his floater. Lopez also takes many offensive rebounds and has also been a blocking machine on the defensive end stopping many of Houston’s shots. Dwight has also been a pain on the defensive end for Portland, Lopez, Leonard and Robinson can’t seem to guard Dwight.
Winner: Howard
Bench
Houston: Lin, Asik, Garcia, Casspi, Motiejunas, Hamilton
Portland: Robinson, Leonard, Wright, Barton, Williams, Crabbe
Winner: Houston
Series Prediction:
Game 1: 111-103 Portland 1-0
Game 2: 120-99 Houston 1-1
Game 3: 109-108 Houston 2-1
Game 4: 103-91 Portland 2-2
Game 5: 112-101 Houston 3-2
Game 6: 115-109 Houston 4-2
Prediction: Houston in 6