This is one tight match-up as both teams are pretty much equals. Portland finished the season with one more victory (54) than Houston (53), their road records were an identical 20-21, and the only difference were the home records. The Trail Blazers finished with 34 home wins and the Rockets with 33.
Who would’ve thought that the Rockets would be a much better team without Tracy McGrady? He has been the leader and top scorer for so long and yet here they are, looking better than ever and are on the verge of actually advancing to the second round, something McGrady has never done in his career.
With or without McGrady in the lineup, the Rockets don’t look all that dangerous heading into the playoffs. For some reason during the season they are lights out, but when it comes down to the playoffs, they struggle. The Rockets will have a tough time getting through the Trail Blazers who also have home court advantage in this series.
A few players on the Rockets have struggled during the playoffs, such as Yao Ming, Ron Artest and Shane Battier. The leader scorer on this team, Yao Ming, has not reached his full potential in this league, is extremely over-rated and is a very soft player. Ming has trouble playing like a seven footer, something he is, at seven feet six inches, and has a tough time getting to the rim. There is absolutely no aggression in Ming’s game. As a team, the Rockets cannot match up properly to the upstart, young and talented Trail Blazers.
There is one player on the Rockets that has performed well on a consistent basis, and that is Luis Scola. He could step up his game and has played in big games before internationally with Spain. The problem with the Rockets will be that they will play the way they did during the season, which isn’t bad, but you have to take your game to another level in the playoffs. The Rockets have not shown that in previous playoff seasons.
Right off the bat Portland has an explosive scorer in Brandon Roy who led the team in scoring with 22.9 points per game. The only player that could guard Roy is Ron Artest, but Roy has shown he can fend off any defender and Artest may not have that extra level to his game anymore. Roy does have that extra level and drive to win games.
Other players on the Trail Blazers that should have coming out parties during this series versus the Rockets are LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez and Steve Blake.
Aldridge will provide strong secondary scoring help, along with Fernandez. Travis Outlaw will shine most with his defense, while Blake will be able to control the team, but will also be under a lot of pressure to actually hold the team together on the court, with this being his first playoff series. Of course, providing the big body presence will be Greg Oden, and will be relied on for his defense, if he could stay out of foul trouble.
Overall, the Trail Blazers are inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs, but they are a young and hungry team ready to show the NBA who they are, and will do fine. Having home court advantage was huge for this Portland team.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES, AND BRANDON ROY WILL PLAY AT ANOTHER LEVEL WHICH WILL RUB OFF ON THE REST OF THE TEAM.
*HOUSTON CAN WIN THIS SERIES IF THEY WIN TWO GAMES ON THE ROAD IN PORTLAND.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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