The Great Escape

Wow sort of a scary ending... Could have lost too w/Rudy getting bailed out and then Brooks would have probably hit another 3 to win (hit 2 in a row prior). McMuffin had two 20 second timeouts there and didn't use any... And I normally criticize him for using stupid early timeouts... This is a first... Mind-boggling isn't it?! This qualifies as "The Great Escape" but, we go into houston w/NO momentum.

It was a close game throughout and what I thought was a good momentum changer for the 'Zers in the 2nd quarter was Nate using The Twin Tower lineup of "The Vanilla Gorilla" Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden. I was actually going to give Coach Muff credit for making that move BUT Blazer sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow reported that Nate accidentally found the lineup because some Blazers had foul trouble... I should have known!!

Off course, it wouldn't last long as Oden would either commit another knucklehead foul or Joel would get called for some bogus foul by Joey Crawford and his stooges...

Houston was able to catch up after this BUT then Portland started to "run 'n gun" and took control at the end of the 1st half to build some momentum into the 2nd half. It got us easy looks at the basket which was uncommon compared to all the easy and/or open looks Houston had. BUT I knew better this time. Mike Rice even made a remark that Houston was 30th in fast breaks and doesn't like to run... The 'Zers average age is under 25... Should McMuffin be running this team to death, especially Yao who has a bad footsy (What do you the readers think we should do and what did Nate do? See my post below about Game 1)? I even texted my friend James that I wouldn't be surprised if Muff abandoned the run 'n gun completely... Nate did and Houston was able to build a nice lead to start the 3rd but the game would be deadlocked at 72 going into the 4th...

Roy and Aldridge (minus LaMarcus' 3rd quarter) were spectacular and if they have to do this the rest of the series, I don't see Portland making it past the 6th game. I mean, Roy put up an incredible 42 vs. the normally stellar defense of Shane Battier and Ron Artest...

Although Outlaw hit a big shot and had a nice steal that led to a dunk in the 4th, I don't like Muff's decision of putting Travis in over Rudy and/or Batum. Prior to the 4th, Outlaw had shot 1-6 FG... Who in their right mind puts someone in clutch 4th quarter minutes who has played piss-poor on offense and lacks defense?! Oh, wait, that's Nate's MO... Yet somehow, no matter how abysmal and unfathomable the decision McMuffin makes, he is lucky enough with this deep and talented Blazer team to win just like Mike DUDleavy did... Ladies and Gentlemen, "The 2nd Coming of DUDleavy!"