Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

Posted by Andy Popp

(For more playoff coverage: 2009 NBA Playoff Coverage: Portland Trail Blazers )

Blazers vs Rockets: The World is Watching

Tonight at 7:30 the world will watch (Seriously, the world is watching. This game is international, featuring players from China, Congo, France, Spain and Argentina) as the Blazers face off against the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets play a mean game: they're strong, physical and have playoff experience. Like the Blazers, they favor a slow and methodical style of play. Their size and strength creates mismatches all over the court, which they find and exploit until teams figure out how to stop the bleeding.

They're without their perennial all star Tracy McGrady, who had microfacture surgery on his knee in February. McGrady was diagnosed early in his career with a rare disease that prevents him from making it into the second round of the playoffs. He will be on the bench tonight in street clothes, I think that bodes well for the Blazers.

The Rockets Big Three:

Yao Ming is the man that makes it happen for the Rockets. Everything goes through the 7' 6'' beast from China. He's going to get 20 points 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Blazer bigs will try to slow him down two different ways: they'll front him or work to push him off his spots, so he collects the ball out of position. Either way, Przybilla, Oden and possibly Frye will have their work cut out for them tonight.

Ron Artest/Shane Battier

• Not only is Ron Artest the Rockets' only Tru Warier, he's the real deal. At 6' 7'' 260, he's a god damn brick house and he gives offensive players nightmares. In McGrady's absence, he's stepped up offensively this season, averaging 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assist and 1.5 steals per game.
• Shane Battier is the Rockets 'glue' guy. He does everything: shoots the 3 well, rebounds, and is one of the NBA's premier defenders.
• Artest and Battier will both work to spoil Brandon Roy's first trip into the post season.

Aaron Brooks?
Everything I've read out of the Houston area says that they think this series will hinge on the play of University of Oregon standout. I don't buy it. Brooks has great speed and the ability to score, but that's about it. He isn't a great point guard, averaging only 3 assists per game. Brooks has the foot speed to blow by Steve Blake, but isn't a what you'd call a three point threat. Look for Blake to back off Brooks early tonight, forcing him to prove he can make the three before Blake respects it.

The Blazers will have to match the Rockets' physicality tonight. The x-factor tonight is Greg Oden. The 3 times we've played Houston this season, Oden has seen just over 10 minutes of play. The Blazers need Greg to produce when he's in there. A double-double from him would go a long way towards a Blazer win.

Keys to the game:
Blazer front court controls the paint
Stretch the Rockets' defense with three point shooting
LaMarcus and Brandon both score 20+

Vegas opened with the Blazers as 4 point favorites. The line moved to -5. I hope you all got in early at -4.

If you're not already pumped up, here's some Zombie Nation – Kernkraft 400 to help (FF to 1 40ish): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUgGA0lsog

———————————Related Posts—

• Portland Trail Blazers Playoff Predictions | Daily Stank Video Bank
• The Blazer Post Where All Your Questions Are Answered
• Portland Trail Blazers Rally in Pioneer Square | Daily Stank Image Bank
• NBA Playoffs Commercial Featuring Portland Trail Blazers
• Portland Trail Blazers: Rip City Uprise | Playoff Tickets + Pioneer Square Rally

_____________________________

Andy Popp is a Portland native that loves sports and beer. When he's not at PDX Pipeline, you can find him at lowposts.com. You can contact him at