Fans of the Portland Trailblazers have a way of hanging tough. Even as the team's playoff fortunes have deteriorated, they have cheered wildly, and from the heart. When asked over the weekend to predict an outcome of the playoff series with Houston Rockets, which resumes tomorrow night here in Portland, readers of this blog rated the Rose City unit's chances as pretty good:
Result
After Game 1 - Houston leads 1-0
After Game 2 - series tied 1-1
After Game 3 - Houston leads 2-1
Blazers will win in 5 games
1%
1%
---
Blazers will win in 6 games
8%
14%
6%
Blazers will win in 7 games
22%
30%
39%
Rockets will win in 4 games
15%
---
---
Rockets will win in 5 games
32%
15%
17%
Rockets will win in 6 games
21%
34%
36%
Rockets will win in 7 games
1%
5%
2%
After a second consecutive heartbreaking loss in Houston last night, though, the confidence of everyone in the Blazer fold is going to be tested. Here's a chance to update those predictions:
Last night was frustrating, disappointing, and even a little embarrassing for the Blazers and their fans. As I understand it, Portland has now lost 12 out of its last 13 games in Houston. Tomorrow night they will have to battle hard at home, just for the chance to go back down there and try again.
Meanwhile, tonight the Lakers should eliminate the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles. Then they can hope the Blazers prolong their series to wear the Rockets out. From our vantage point, Houston will not stand a snowball's chance in L.A.
Comments (6)
Dallas will more than likely be playing the Lakers in the next round.
Houston will be most likely be playing Denver unless Chris Paul averages 30 points and 10 assists with David West magically resurrecting his game from last year's playoffs during the next 3 or 4 games. I don't see that happening.
I think it was a monumental mistake to give the ball to Outlaw for the 3 attempt at the end of the game. His heroics seem to be reserved for games when he has lots of family and friends in the audience. I'm usually a Travis Outlaw fan, but I'm getting this sneaking suspicion that his mind is already in the off season fishing and playing video games. Also, when everyone in the building knows that Brandon Roy is going to take the final shot, the opposing team will most likely successfully defend it if it's a drive to the basket. They need to rely on someone else here and there in the close ones down the stretch so the opposition has a least a little uncertainty as to where the ball is going at the end of game. Rudy is coming up big as a clutch player, and he seems to be able to handle the extra minutes at this point.
They need to rely on someone else here and there in the close ones down the stretch so the opposition has a least a little uncertainty as to where the ball is going at the end of game.
Jordan had Pippen. Roy should have Fernandez -- at least, until he quits the Blazers.
Damn it, I do have the seedings wrong. I was assuming that initial seeding would remain, which is not true. In Dallas's case, they would become the third seed after knocking off San Antonio.
The winner of 1-8 (L.A.-Utah) plays the winner of 4-5 (Portland-Houston). The winner of 2-7 (Denver-N.O.) plays the winner of 3-6 (San Antonio-Dallas).
Charamba, Douro 2008
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Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
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Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
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Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
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Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
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Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
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Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
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Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
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Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
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Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
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Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
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Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
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Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (6)
Dallas will more than likely be playing the Lakers in the next round.
Houston will be most likely be playing Denver unless Chris Paul averages 30 points and 10 assists with David West magically resurrecting his game from last year's playoffs during the next 3 or 4 games. I don't see that happening.
Posted by YoungOregonMoonbat | April 27, 2009 11:40 AM
I think it was a monumental mistake to give the ball to Outlaw for the 3 attempt at the end of the game. His heroics seem to be reserved for games when he has lots of family and friends in the audience. I'm usually a Travis Outlaw fan, but I'm getting this sneaking suspicion that his mind is already in the off season fishing and playing video games. Also, when everyone in the building knows that Brandon Roy is going to take the final shot, the opposing team will most likely successfully defend it if it's a drive to the basket. They need to rely on someone else here and there in the close ones down the stretch so the opposition has a least a little uncertainty as to where the ball is going at the end of game. Rudy is coming up big as a clutch player, and he seems to be able to handle the extra minutes at this point.
Posted by Usual Kevin | April 27, 2009 12:00 PM
They need to rely on someone else here and there in the close ones down the stretch so the opposition has a least a little uncertainty as to where the ball is going at the end of game.
Jordan had Pippen. Roy should have Fernandez -- at least, until he quits the Blazers.
Posted by Jack Bog | April 28, 2009 12:52 AM
Dallas will more than likely be playing the Lakers in the next round.
You've got the seedings wrong.
Posted by Jack Bog | April 28, 2009 12:53 AM
Damn it, I do have the seedings wrong. I was assuming that initial seeding would remain, which is not true. In Dallas's case, they would become the third seed after knocking off San Antonio.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Posted by YoungOregonMoonbat | April 28, 2009 1:49 AM
The winner of 1-8 (L.A.-Utah) plays the winner of 4-5 (Portland-Houston). The winner of 2-7 (Denver-N.O.) plays the winner of 3-6 (San Antonio-Dallas).
Posted by Jack Bog | April 28, 2009 1:52 AM