Rockets Finish Off Sweep
posted: 4/03/2008 at 10:29 PM
In a fashion that's become incredibly typical of this series, the Houston Rockets defeated the Trail Blazers on Thursday night at the Rose Garden, 95-86. The final scores from the first three meetings this season were 89-80, 89-79, and 95-83. That's consistency. Unfortunately for the Blazers, that's also an 0-4 season record against the Rockets.
Some teams in this league are just bad matchups for others. Against Utah, for example, the Trail Blazers won the season series 3-1, and had a chance for the sweep. After the three wins the theme was the same from Utah's locker room, as everyone was talking about how it's just a bad matchup for the Jazz. Sometimes it's even difficult to put a finger on exactly why.
Clearly, the theme lately for Portland's opponents has been to double team LaMarcus Aldridge, and make someone else beat you. That's what the Lakers employed on Wednesday night in L.A., and the Rockets attempted to employ the same strategy in this game. It was only when Luis Scola got into foul trouble that the Blazers were able to make a solid run and grab a brief second-half lead. To Aldridge's credit, he still had 23 points, on 10-20 shooting. He just didn't get enough help from the perimeter shooters in this game.
It didn't help, of course, that Martell Webster was a late scratch before this game, as he suffered flu-like symptoms and was checked into a local hospital. He seemed fine about an hour before tipoff, and we'll know more on Friday. With Brandon Roy still out of action, Webster had become a key to Portland's offense, and has been playing very well. With no threats from the outside, the Rockets were able to pack it in defensively, and forced Portland to the perimeter. Once again, the Blazers failed to make them pay, and ended up shooting just 40 percent.
Jarrett Jack had a solid night, as he was forced into the starting lineup with Webster out, but Travis Outlaw had a difficult shooting night, especially early, and that was the key to Houston taking control in the first half and building a 16-point lead. Outlaw ended the night just 5 for 18, and had 14 points.
Outlaw did do a good job on Tracy McGrady, at least in the first half. But, in the second, McGrady exploded and just about single handedly stopped every Portland run. McGrady ended the game with 35 points, and the Rockets, as a team, were 11 for 22 from behind the three-point line.
To listen to Nate McMillan's post-game comments,
click here.
It was a big win for Houston, as they picked up their 50th win, and moved back into a tie with Phoenix for the 5th spot in the Western Conference playoff race. Both teams are just a half game behind Utah, who sits in 4th.
The Blazers are now off until Sunday, when they host the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Roy, who did do some light shooting before the game on Thursday, could return against the Spurs. He'll test his injured groin again in practice on Saturday, and then we'll know more. I'd still say it's a longshot that we'll see him Sunday, but he certainly will play if he's able.
RSS FEED
The typical Blazers fan will say. Look, Jack had a nice game, 19 points. Well, consider most of them cam in garbage time and again, 4 assists and 3 turnovers in 38 minutes. That is horrible. He also almost turns the ball over a lot. He dribbles then jumps in the air and at the last second throws horrible passes. he even got away with two travels last night. Then, when Rodriguez got a shot, blake dribbled the ball up almost every time. It's frustrating to watch Jack play. I actually think to myself "how is he going to screw up this play?" and he does quite often. Oh wait, I am suppose to say. "Great Game 19 points" ...blah blah blah.
I get sick of reading Jack bashers on this blog so let's try to look at last night's game this way: He actually only had two turnovers, compared to steve blake's three and only 12 points in 42 min. How many points did Rodriguez have last night? Oh yeah, none. Now, let's just take away Jack's 19 points, because they obviously meant nothing-now it's Rocket's 95, Blazer's 67. You're right grayhuze, he's trash.
Let's not forget in games when his shot isn't falling, Jack is very good at drawing the foul. He didn't get traded, he's what we've got for a few more weeks, and last night-he was huge for us. Good for us, he got away with two travels. On any given night, how many players get away with travels? I think if you paid attention you'd see it's a lot.
Don't get me wrong, Jack has games when I think "how is he going to screw this up," but last night wasn't one of them. Give him at least a little credit. When we lose, he doesn't lose single handedly (last night, there were others who dropped the ball). There is not one NBA player who has a good game every time he plays. Why do so many on this blog hold Jack to this standard?
I agree. I think Jarret Jack is a stand up guy and everything, But he is a turnover machine. I hate to say it but we need to trade him.
McMillan - Play Von Wafer!!! The guy can play, so why do you insist on running the starters into the ground. Take a look at the 3rd and 4th quarters. It is easy to see that the regulars are getting tired. Let some of the bench players take up some extra minutes. Now is the time to see if guys like Wafer and Rodriquez can play. Let's give the reserves 15 to 20 minutes per game for the remaining games left on the schedule. Stop being so singy with the minutes per player.
There are time whens I wish I knew what Nate was doing... then there are times when I wish Nate knew what Nate was doing...
I've been happy with LaMarcus's progress but there are still things about him that bug me. Like when he's scoring but not aggressively getting after the rebounds. Against the Lakers he was aggressive all night on the boards. Last night was another story. I've noticed that quite often if his shot is falling and he's getting some points, his effort rebounding drops off. It's one thing to have an off night shooting but another to not get after the rebounds. I'm looking forward to when he can put it all together.
Go Blazers!
I think last night was just a better team playing harder to win.
I don't think you can finger point to any one player. It is our inconsistant outside shooting and our overall defense.
If one man is not up on the defensive end it is horrible. On the offensive end it is bad but a lucky shot or a foul can bail a player out.
I thought we played pretty well with Houston considering the game against The Lakers the night before. I know that is not an excuse, but to get Bryant and McGrady in a two day period is rough even for a veteran team.
I had hopes that when we made the run in the third that we were going to step out and win.
I know we will have to trade some players that is just advancing and the NBA. I don't think you should single out one player and make him a escape goat when the whole team has their up and downs. I think all in all as the annoucers on TNT said we have had a lots of awards this year and our accomplishments are terrific.
We will get better as time goes by and all the heartbreak will be worth it, because we can't have the good or great without the bad and sometimes the horrible times.I also get many awards from the present Blazers.
hg
blazergirl,
Jarrett Jack may have had more points than Steve Blake and the same amount of turnovers but Blake had 10 assists to Jack's 4.
Jack is a turnover machine and there were also a number of times where it was his fault we turned it over but he was not attributed the TO.
Jarret Jack just isnt a point guard being a stand up guy doesnt make you a better player, we traded taurean green before we knew what the heck he could do.
Jack has pros and cons. I'm not terribly impressed by his 19 pts, but what really stood out to me was that, for the second time in 3 games, Jack makes a mistake or doesn't get a call, and whines like a teenager in a temper tantrum instead of getting his butt back down the other end to guard his man.
That's just unacceptable. Save the whining for the next dead ball. Don't give the other team another basket after you've already turned the ball over.
You would think that Sarge would pull someone for making that mistake immediately and sit him for a few quarters.
But, invariably...
PS., Nate is a fantastic young coach and I think Jarrett can be a great bench player someday. But I simply don't get Nate's infatuation with Jack and the standard he holds him to, which is clearly different than the standard to which he judges his other players. I thought Brandon Roy was the only player that was guaranteed playing time for his offense. Well Jack doesn't give us a whole lot on D, and yet his playing time is all but untouchable.
Spencer,
I am by no means suggesting that Jack is not a turnover machine. You'd have to be blind not to see it. He may end up getting traded and we may be better off because of it.
My point is that when he has a good game, which he did last night, he is just highlighted for the negative. Bottom line-he had the second most points on the team last night. He screwed up, made some turnovers, but he had a cluth three point play in the third. Had the team as a whole capitalized on that we could have won. Take away his points and our loss would have been absolutely humiliating.
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Livros e Revistas, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://livros-e-revistas.blogspot.com. A hug.
I think Frye is doing an alright job. He is always mentioned as being on the trading blocks. That brings up a question for some of you knowledgable bloggers. Frye often goes in for Joel and is expected to the job of center. But, next year with Oden and Joel doing center rotation, wouldn't frye be a good man to back up LMA? or would it be better to use a player such as TO that can play many spots?
I have no idea how best to place the players and who to trade, who to keep and who will develop into good players and who won't. I think all our players that play contributes in their own way and all of them need to improve on one thing or another.
What if we trade off the wrong player? Will it come back to haunt us like some in the past.
hg
Here is my take on Jack: If the game is on the line, Jack=garbage!!! turnovers, missed freethrows, o-charges, clanked jumpers, bad dishes. The other 3.5 quarters in the game Jack is plays amazing at times! Take away that Chicago game earlier in the season, Jack chokes at the ends of games. Blake and Roy are the guys that should run the point during crunch time, period. If we never played Jack in the final 3 min of each game he would be one of my favorite players, but hes always in there at the end!!! Trade him. Force darius into retierement. sign Rudy at all costs!! Oden coming back.. Roy and Aldrige heathy.. Consistant Martell, and Outlaw. Next season is looking very good, not to mention we will have the best backup center in the league!
Post a Comment
<< Home