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

Posted by Andy Popp

Game 3: The Road Test

Tonight we've got pivotal game 3 and there's no shortage of intriguing subplots:

• How will Ron Artest and Shane Battier rebound from Brandon Roy's Tuesday night clinic?
• The majority of the Blazers are playing their first road playoff game. Guys not named LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy MUST step up offensively if the the Blazers are going to win tonight. Can they right the ship in a hostile environment?
• Yao Ming. The Blazer front court shut Yao down Tuesday night. Can they do it again in Yao's building? Unfortunately, this hinges on the refs and how they interpret David Stern's script.
• The Loss of Dikembe Mutombo. Will Greg Oden be able to capitalize on his size advantage down low? A double-double from Oden goes a long way towards a Blazer win.
• Is tonight the night Aaron Brooks comes back down to earth? I think so.

In game 2, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 69 points. Expect the Rockets to adjust defensively to make sure this doesn't happen again. That means help defense and double teams. They want to make the supporting cast beat us. If we swing the ball to the weak side, Nicolas Batum, Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez or Steve Blake are going to be wide open. We need them to knock down their open shots to keep the Rockets' defense honest.

In order for the Blazers to win this 7 game series, they're going to need to steal one on the road. Realistically, the Blazers's goal is to come back to Portland with the series tied 2-2. A win tonight takes back home court advantage and puts the pressure on the Rockets. The Blazers stepped up and made a statement in game two, tonight we see if they can pick up right where they left off.

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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 `