This was a butt whuppin from the beginning. The Rockets came out and shot 80% from the floor for almost an entire quarter. Yao Ming went 9-9 from the floor (24 pts, 9 rebs, and 2 blks) for the game and didn't attempt a shot in the 2nd half and didn't play in the 4th quarter. As I watched this game it really looked like a video game for a while because every shot that went up was going in. For a moment or two the Blazers were keeping up with them on made baskets, although that didn't last long. Aaron Brooks made the most of his first start in the playoffs and he dropped 27 pts, 7 asts, and 4 rebs. He was a blur on the court and made Steve Blake look like he was treading water. Artest (17 pts, 4 asts) and Luis Scola (19 pts, 8 rebs)chipped in with good games to make this laughable shortly after halftime.If this was a heavyweight fight the Blazers got hit with every combination and power punch that the Rockets had. The only good thing, is that they didn't knocked out. They lost on a TKO, but never lost a tooth or got their mouthpiece knocked out. No one played well for the Blazers except Greg Oden (15 pts, 5 rebs, and 1 blk). Roy had 21 pts, but he took 23 shots. Although this was a huge loss, I think the Blazers now understand what it takes to win in the playoffs. I'm betting that this series gets a lot tighter.
Key facts:
- What are these old guys drinking? Dikembe Mutumbo looked like a spry 37 year old last night. He ended the game with 9 rebs and no points, but he helped that Rockets bench get stops against the Blazers.
- The Rockets finally cooled off and hit only 59% of their shots for the game. Can they keep that up? If Battier, Wafer, and Hayes hit 5 shots between them, I think that puts the Rockets easily over the 60% for the game. When's the last time that happened in the playoffs? (Stat guy, can you work on this?!?!?)
We definitely saw the Rockets red glare in this game, but can they replicate this performance again? I think the Blazers bounce back. What do you think?
2 comments:
I'm big fan of both Scola and Yao and it was nice to see they teamed up for this game. Also the huge of contribution of both Artest and Brooks were immense. I was surprise how they took the game to Portland.
I think the Blazers are great side but they are still young. Of course, I'm not trying to undermining them but I feel they have great future ahead of them. Certainly the tide is changing in the West with the old guards like the Spurs and Mavs are not what they used to be. Blazers and the Hornets are the future of this conference.
As for Game 2, I know the Blazers will make a strong comeback but my feeling is that Rockets are going pull it off again. Here is my re-cap and what do you think of the match up between Scola and Aldridge?
All I know is B-Roy better start making some shots because if they're going to rely on Aldridge to get them to the promised land, they'll never make it. I know Roy wasn't hittin', but that shouldn't have given Aldridge carte blanche to start firing every time he caught the ball. I hope they all re-introduced themselves to him after the game.
Scola made them look, even more so, like the young and inexperienced team they are. Looks like more of the same for the Blazers from here on out unless Roy gets it together.
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