Game 6: Trail Blazers at Rockets, let’s get a few things straight right now
First thing about this game: The Trail Blazers are going to have to find out right away how the game is going to be officiated in the post area. Each officiating crew is different. I don’t think you need to automatically assume it will be called tighter than the last game — that’s not necessarily true. The farther we get in series, the more lax the officiating often gets.
All I’m saying is that it’s the job of the post players to adjust to whatever way it’s called. That’s what professionals do — they don’t keep doing the things that referees are calling as fouls. It’s simple — stay out of foul trouble, no matter what it takes. No excuses. This one’s not on the referees, or the fact the game is on the road, fatigue — anything.
By now, each team knows what it takes to win and if it doesn’t do that, well, see you next season.
I’m convinced Houston is going to get Yao Ming more touches tonight than he’s been getting. His frustration, not only on the court during the game but in comments afterward, was apparent. The Rockets must get him the ball more frequently.
In a way, that’s fine. The Blazer centers need to be patient. He’s going to get it a few times. He’s going to get some dunks. What Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden need to recognize is that Yao is not a volume shooter and he’s not used to playing long minutes. Rather than give up a cheap foul to keep him from getting the ball, it’s OK once in a while to allow the basket. In the big picture, Portland’s bigs must stay out of foul trouble.
That’s because the longer the game goes, the more tired Yao is going to get. He’s working on back-to-back 40-minute games and he’s having to play this time with only one day’s rest and a long plane flight. The commute in this series with only one day off is brutal, by the way. I believe you can work a little rope-a-dope with Yao. Let him have shots but make him work — and I think he might just punch himself out after a couple of quarters.
I should also mention that I expect Ron Artest to be a factor. He’s not played well for most of the series and probably has his mind made up he’s going to impact this game. Whether that’s a positive or negative impact remains to be seen.
I’ve said from the start the Blazers will get better as the series drags on. They’re adjusting to playing the Rockets. They’re getting better, Houston is starting to sputter. Portland’s young legs have an advantage — as long as Nate McMillan uses his bench enough to keep the starters fresh.
I fully expect Portland to break through tonight. This is a big game for both franchises but Houston’s recent history of playoff flameouts will be a heavy burden if the Rockets fall behind. The Blazers have a very big opportunity here to make a statement about themselves and where they’re headed in the future.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | April 30, 2009
Dwight Jaynes, Houston Rockets, NBA playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers, Ron Artest, Yao Ming
I hate to say it, but I think that mentally Houston has the upper hand. They are at home, they are comfortable, and Portland has real trouble getting a W there. If Houston can get a lead early (which they have done often) and get their crowd into it, I think the Blazers will have trouble. Houston does NOT want to come back to Portland and they will be playing like their hair is on fire. Portland has to match that intensity to have any kind of shot at winning this game.
But Barry, didn’t you read Canzano’s last column? Houston starters had to ice their knees and feet! If that’s not a tell-all sign of their impending doom, I don’t know what is.
@f5 LOL
Icing knees = impending doom? Then how do you explain Roy and Aldridge’s questionable statuses before game 5, only to then combine for 50? This is the playoffs- these guys know how to play through pain better than anyone. Canzano was once again way too hyperbolic. I would not even care if slow guys like Yao, Scola and Artest might be a tad slower tonight, I’m scared shitless about Brooks, Wafer, Landry running circles around us as they have at the Toyota Center. Simply put, I think it’s just going to come down to which team shoots the ball better.
Also, I don’t know what to think about people who are saying the Blazers will automatically win a game 7. It’s going to be even harder than tonight, if it even comes.
Take it easy on Clownzano!!! He is the best writer in Portland, if you don’t believe me just ask him.
Stevens is right. Both teams are getting fairly good at finding open shots. Who makes the most will be the deciding factor. Both teams will be playing with a desperate energy, for different reasons. I predict some hard fouls and maybe even a scuffle.
hey Stevens I was just being sarcastic. I also, as much as I hate to admit it, think that blazers are done for tonight.
Ah, the rope-a-dope technique! I do like the approach of of making Yao work and run.
The Blazers should run more, even after made Houston shots. Yao cannot be effective for 40+ minutes IF he has to run many of them.
I think there is some (or should be some) pressure on Roy to push the pace. Flu-like-symptoms or not, the Blazers need everyone to push the pace. We cannot be paranoid about turnovers and have another game in the 80′s.
Regardless of whether Rudy starts or not, if he plays 30+ minutes he should be getting/taking 10+ shots.
More ball movement, player movement, running, and assists for victory.
No stupid fouls! Even if they are ticky-tac, learn what is being called and don’t commit them (and don’t whine).
Hey Dwight. I think the history of Houston’s first round flameouts is why they win tonight. They are due. That and I still question just how much Portland believes that they can win or not. Houston by 11. 98-87
We need to be ahead or stay close to them…they will fold in the 4th if we do
No von wafer tonight…
just got to stay in range. in game 3 we had to battle back all game from an early hole, which as we all know has been a season long struggle. Game 4 we kept it close and had a ton of opportunities to win. But 4th quarter mistakes (turnovers and rebounding) did us in and we lost by ONE.
Tonight we just have to weather the emotion of the crowd and Houston’s early energy and keep it close in quarter one. Halftime we need to be down 7 or less (up is better of course!), then entering the 4th it has to be a 2 possession game.
Rebound and run them to death. Too often, this team plays too damned timid, rather than go for the big plays & risk you need to take in order to win in the playoffs (especially on the road.) The talent on this team is so poorly utilized though; I doubt they pull it out tonight, but sure hope I’m wrong.
Yesterday, Vegas had Houston by 4.5pts. Today it’s listed as 5.5pts. That means people in Vegas have been putting there money on Houston all night. Don’t expect the mofia refs to give any easy calls tonight.
New coach required.
what a horrible game, I expected more. disappointing.
New coach Mcmillian looks Tired …
Jeff Van Gundy ?
Aldridge and Roy did their part, the rest of the team? Saying they didn’t show up is an insult to people who only don’t show up, whatever is worse than not showing up describes Outlaw and Blake especially.
You can’t blame this on Nate, he had to go with Outlaw, the only hope was for him to have a decent game, Batum just isn’t ready yet. But after another year of seasoning Batum needs to be the guy at SF, Webster is a great back up to provide offense off the bench. Move Outlaw and Sergio and/or Bayless for a real PG, sign a rebounding bruiser for back-up PF and we’re ready to challenge anyone next year.
I agree Eric. This team’s glaring weaknesses are point guard and backup power forward. A decent PG would’ve been the difference in this series. KP will do what needs to be done. I don’t care how nice of guy outlaw is or how many friends he has. The project is over. He just isn’t the type of player the Blazers need.
Sorry Tang but I don’t have much faith in KP doing the right thing. Remember that he didn’t make a move a the trade deadine and held onto Raef’s expiring contract because he thought our roster was good enough as is.
I know Greg is young but he is really, really bad. The timeframe for him to simply be decent might be 5+ years, if he gets there at all. As silly as it might seem to some, the Blazers really should think about moving him while he still has value.
i sure am glad i live on the east coast, where tnt skipped the ENTIRE first half, halftime and part of the 3rd quarter of last night’s game in favor of that triple-overtime celtics/bulls game. why couldn’t they have dumped the feed to the sister station tbs or something instead??
as a transplanted oregonian i can understand where east coast bias comes from since it can be so difficult to watch the games out here. out of sight out of mind.
Thanks for the great blog this season Dwight!
As far as new coach Duck? You gotta be kidding about Van Gundy. Have you heard him on the ABC broadcasts? He’s worse than Walton. I’m still trying to figure out why he’s ever coached at all.
I’ll give you that Nate made mistakes, as did the players, the refs, and Houston. Stay pat with Nate… he’s the best coach Portland’s had since Adelman.
I’d much rather see KP try to get an upgrade at point guard with a package that includes shipping Blake and Outlaw out of town.