What a series. The Portland Trail Blazers will have to play yet another day as they head back to the Moda Center for Game six on Friday. The Houston Rockets beat the Blazers 108-98 in a game where a Portland rally fell just short and the Rockets finally made the shots they needed to make. Portland still leads 3-2.
At one point the Rockets were up 51-36 and things looked bleak for Portland. They competed hard in the first quarter and the Rockets only came out of it with a three-point lead. Damian Lillard got the ball rolling by going 4-for-7 in the first quarter including two three-pointers. Portland kept with Houston in the quarter and even got out to a 17-13 lead early. However, Houston battled back as they normally do. Chandler Parsons made three straight shots and gave Houston a one-point lead with 2:42 remaining in the first. Portland’s offense started well, but slowly disappeared as the quarter went on. But, Houston only carried a three-point lead.
In the second quarter, Houston outscored Portland 26-21. Portland’s offense was still nowhere to be found. Portland did not make their first bucket until there was 8:14 remaining as Matthews drained a three. Furthermore, after an Aldridge make with 7:41 remaining, Portland didn’t score again until 4:28. However, Houston was struggling just as much. After a Jeremy Lin three-pointer with 5:39, Houston didn’t score for three minutes. Houston could have run Portland out of the building, but instead allowed them to stay in the game. Because of that, Portland went into half with just a nine-point deficit.
Portland’s rally continued as they outscored Houston 29-26 in the third. Houston was having its “moment” in every game where they stutter or mentally lapse. Unfortunately, Jeremy Lin helped them out this time around. Houston finally got a contribution from their bench as he finished with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting 2-for-5 from three. Whenever Portland was about to make that crucial stop or momentum-swinging bucket, Lin would swish a ridiculous three. Twice in this game Lin chucked a shot up and it somehow found the basket. It was those kinds of plays that stalled Portland just long enough.
I should also point out that James Harden was having a horrid game. He finished with 17 points on 5-for-15 shooting, 1-for-7 from three. Dwight Howard, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin picked up the scoring slack. For Portland, it is frustrating. You would imagine that if Lin had only scored five points, then Portland would have pulled this out, but I am getting ahead of myself.
In the fourth quarter, it looked like the Blazers might pull out another ridiculous comeback. On a Robin Lopez make with 6:52 remaining, Portland got within one. However, Portland could not put together that big stop that is required to take the lead. The Houston Rockets did something that they have never done this entire series. Answer the run. Every game Portland has come back and really made Houston look silly. Be it stupid plays or just insane cold streaks, Houston has never really been able to answer. Unfortunately, tonight was a different story. Dwight Howard had his way in the paint. He finished with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Howard was an animal even though he had foul trouble early on. In the fourth quarter, he went 3-for-4. Houston went on an 8-0 run in the final two minutes of regulation to put the Blazers away for good.
Give credit to the Rockets for doing what they were supposed to do and had to do. Portland fans shouldn’t panic or start getting worried. However, if Portland were to lose game six, then you have my permission to panic. However, I predict that Portland will be as locked in as they have ever been in this series back in Portland.
As horrible as this loss may have felt and as much as Portland fans may have wanted to beat Houston in five, I still predicted Blazers in six. Leading up to this game, even though I am a die-hard fan, I had this feeling that Portland was going to lose. Houston had its backs against the wall and the Houston crowd had a reason to cheer. Talk to me on Saturday.
However, a couple of things that make you groan as you realize what an opportunity Portland had. LaMarcus Aldridge only had eight points tonight. That’s right. He finished with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks. The rest of the starting lineup did the scoring. It is safe to say that if LA has a normal game, then this game would have been an entirely different outcome.
Second chance points continue to hurt Portland. Countless times I saw Asik, Lin, or even Beverley get a wild bounce or run into the weeds to grab a rebound. Houston ended up converting on a lot of those chances.
Stat wise, the FT line hurt Portland tonight. They finished going 17-for-23 at the line and shot just 74%. Houston shot 47% from the field, while Portland shot 43% from the field. Portland continues to host block parties in this series. Portland had a whopping 14. Points in the paint, I feel like I shouldn’t even present this, but Houston had 60 points in the paint. Ew.
Portland really got no contribution from the bench. They got a combined five points. The starters almost single-handedly gave Portland the win. Damian Lillard finished with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting, 3-for-8 from three, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Lillard is having a hell of a series and is dominating every game it seems.
Wesley Matthews was big for Portland as he finished with 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting, 5-for-9 from three. Wesley’s offense is coming alive and Portland will need that for Friday.
Robin Lopez stepped to the plate on the offensive end as he finished with 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting, eight rebounds and four blocks. Robin has really been null on the offensive end and for good reason. I find it funny that if Portland does get past Houston, then Lopez becomes an offensive threat once again. Houston has the best and most imposing center in the West. Think about that.
Well, move on Blazer fans. Portland will need you on Friday as the Blazers take on the Rockets in game six at the Moda Center at 7:30 p.m. PST. It is hard to say that Portland needs to win this, but considering how well Houston played in their building tonight, I would prefer to just end it in Portland. Stay tuned!