The Portland Trail Blazers, the youngest team in the National Basketball Association, looked like a weary bunch in the second half Monday night against Houston.
Playing their third game on a four-game road trip, the Blazers hung tough with rising power Houston. But a 10-1 Rockets run at the start of the fourth quarter closed the deal. For Houston, it was a seventh straight victory and a win that put them three full games ahead of Portland in the race for one of the final Western Conference playoff positions.
Since their 13-game winning streak was snapped in Utah, the Blazers have gone just 10-11. Where has the magic gone? The last two games against Houston offer some insights.
First, Portland lacks a consistent inside scoring threat. A lot of NBA games are won by dominating the space under the basket. In that kind of game, Portland has just one card -- LaMarcus Aldridge -- to play.
Second, we've reached the portion of the season where experience and execution begin to trump energy. Come January, the veteran teams -- you know the names ... Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix -- shift into a higher gear.
On Jan. 25 in the Rose Garden and again in Houston Monday night, Portland started off in command against the Rockets. Superior speed and shooting put Portland on top early in both games.
Then Houston began dominating play around the basket. The 7-6 center Yao Ming used his long arms to intimidate shooters and deflect passes. Role players like Carl Landry and Luis Scola collected the loose balls and rebounds that were going to Travis Outlaw and Channing Frye in December.
Monday, February 11, 2008
4:00 to play: Houston 86, Portland 72
After building a six-point lead in the first quarter, the Blazers scored just 48 points in the next 32 minutes. That's a 72-points-per-game pace, which won't win you too many ballgames outside the Pac-10 Conference.
4Q: Houston 73, Portland 62
First five Portland possessions of the quarter: Long, late clanging jumper from Jack ... Late jumper by Outlaw, partially blocked ... Turnover ... Missed turnaround 10-footer by Aldridge ... Long missed jumper by Outlaw ...
It's not quite a meltdown: Houston is playing very good defense. But Portland hasn't got anything in its playbook. Still, McMillian waits until the lead hits 11 before calling a time out.
It's not quite a meltdown: Houston is playing very good defense. But Portland hasn't got anything in its playbook. Still, McMillian waits until the lead hits 11 before calling a time out.
After 3 quarters: Houston 69, Portland 62
With Houston up by five with about 2:30 to play, Blazer Coach Nate McMillian ordered up a zone defense ... Pryzbilla picks up his four foul with 1:12 to go, banging Yao from behind in pursuit of an offensive rebound ... Channing Frye, in for Pryzbilla, gets called for traveling while serving as the high post, then picks up a 3rd foul by holding Yao ... Roy goes scoreless in the quarter.
Midway through 3Q: Houston 58, Portland 51
Fraying at the edges? Joel Pryzbilla picked up a foolish third foul early in the quarter jostling with Yao at center court ... Brandon Roy is back, but his touch from the foul line isn't. He's a very uncharacteristic 2-for-6 .
Halftime: Houston 44, Portland 43
In our last Blazer Beat game, we lamented the lack of an inside game against Chicago. Tonight against Houston, Portland's had a huge edge -- 26-12 at one point -- in points-from-the-paint. LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 first-half points.
So trailing at halftime by one point is discouraging. In the Jan. 25 matchup between these two clubs at the Rose Garden, Portland got out to an early lead only to see Houston gradually tighten down the lane.
Brandon Roy at the half: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.
So trailing at halftime by one point is discouraging. In the Jan. 25 matchup between these two clubs at the Rose Garden, Portland got out to an early lead only to see Houston gradually tighten down the lane.
Brandon Roy at the half: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.
Midway through 2Q: Portland 39, Houston 32
Is Houston worried? Coach Rick Adelman brought the starting frontcourt -- Yao, Scola and Shane Battier -- back in.
Battle of the second units
Both coaches have gone pretty deep into their benches early in the second quarter. most nights, this would be Advantage, Portland. But Rick Adelman has developed a nice second unit with former Duck Aaron Brooks, forward Carl Landry, and ex-Blazer Bonzi Wells.
In addition, Adelman has moved Argentine forward Luis Scola into the starting lineup. Scola's sound fundamental game is the perfect complement for the unique skill set of Yao Ming.
In addition, Adelman has moved Argentine forward Luis Scola into the starting lineup. Scola's sound fundamental game is the perfect complement for the unique skill set of Yao Ming.
First Quarter: Portland 24, Houston 18
Very active group of Trail Blazers on the floor. Roy quick on the double teams, Aldridge twice beating Houston back down the floor for fast-break layups. Portland is taking care of the ball better -- just three turnovers thus far -- and outrebounded Houston in the first quarter.
Double teaming the biggest guy
Portland takes a 21-16 lead with two minutes to go in the quarter. The Blazers have taken command because Brandon Roy stole the ball from Yao min on back-to-back posessions after Yao had set up on the left side of the basket.
Houston 15, Portland 13; Webster with a 3
Martell Webster's role with the Trail Blazers has been something akin to Ed McMahon's on the old "Tonight Show."
McMahon would warm up the audience before Johnny Carson took the stage. Webster's primary role with Portland this year has been to hit three-pointers in the first and third quarters while everyone else is stretching their legs.
McMahon would warm up the audience before Johnny Carson took the stage. Webster's primary role with Portland this year has been to hit three-pointers in the first and third quarters while everyone else is stretching their legs.
Time to make a stand
Is Feb. 11 too early for a must-win? Yes.
But is it too early for a crucial game? No, it turns out. A short month ago, the Trail Blazers were knocking on the door of the Northwest Division lead. Now, they find themselves as the No. 10 team in the NBA's topheavy Western Conference, looking uphill to a playoff berth.
Houston was one of the teams left in the dust by Portland's 13-game winning streak. The Rockets, though, come into tonight's game powered by a six-game winning streak of their own. With Brandon Roy scheduled to return to the lineup, tonight's a chance for the Blazers to reassert themselves.
But is it too early for a crucial game? No, it turns out. A short month ago, the Trail Blazers were knocking on the door of the Northwest Division lead. Now, they find themselves as the No. 10 team in the NBA's topheavy Western Conference, looking uphill to a playoff berth.
Houston was one of the teams left in the dust by Portland's 13-game winning streak. The Rockets, though, come into tonight's game powered by a six-game winning streak of their own. With Brandon Roy scheduled to return to the lineup, tonight's a chance for the Blazers to reassert themselves.
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