Game Thread GAME# 54: ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - FEBRUARY 10, 2016 - WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM (PST), KGW & ESPN

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 Regular Season Record
HOUSTON ROCKETS
27 - 27
(11-14 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
26 - 27
(15-11 Home)



______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

PATRICK BEVERLEY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

JAMES HARDEN VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

COREY BREWER VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

PF

TREVOR ARIZA VS MAURICE HARKLESS

C

DWIGHT HOWARD VS MASON PLUMLEE


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WHEN: 7:30 PM (PST), WEDNESDAY, 2/10/2016​

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

AND

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

HOUSTON ROCKETS

LAWSON , TERRY , THORNTON , McDANIELS

SMITH , HARRELL , JONES , CAPELA

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

FRAZIER , HENDERSON , CRABBE , CONNAUGHTON

VONLEH , LEONARD, DAVIS , KAMAN



INJURIES
ROCKETS
Terrence Jones (concussion): DOUBTFUL
Donatas Motiejunas (back): DOUBTFUL
Sam Dekker (low back pain): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Noah Vonleh (sprained left ankle): PROBABLE


HEAD COACHES

- VS –

J.B. BICKERSTAFF --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL ROCKETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday marks the third of four regular season matchups between the Trail Blazers and Rockets in 2015-16. The final two games in this series will be played at the Moda Center.

• Portland defeated Houston, 96-79, on Feb. 6, in what was just its fourth win at Houston since the start of the 2007-08 season (4-12).

• In that Feb. 6 game, Portland held Houston to 32.5% shooting (25-77 FG), the lowest mark from any opposing team this season.

• The Trail Blazers have won two consecutive home games against the Rockets.

• In the first meeting between these teams, Houston erased a 15-point defi cit in the fourth quarter to force overtime and eventually defeat the Trail Blazers, 108-103, on Nov. 18.

• Damian Lillard scored 21 points at Houston on Feb. 6, and has now scored at least 20 points in eight of his 13 career games against the Rockets (five of the past seven games).

• Houston is shooting 33.7% from the field in two games against Portland this season (55-169 FG).

• The Rockets are 6-7 in the second game of a back-to-back sequence this season. Houston plays at Golden State on Feb. 9.

• James Harden scored 33 points against Portland on Feb. 6, and has now scored at least 20 points in 12 of his past 13 games (40+ points in four of the past six games) against the Trail Blazers. Harden is averaging 39.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in two games against the Trail Blazers this season.

• Damian Lillard’s 21-point, 10-assist performance at Houston on Feb. 6 marked his first career double-double in 13 games against the Rockets.

• Portland’s 14 steals against Houston on Feb. 6 represents the team’s highest total this season.

• Rockets forward Terrence Jones was born in Portland, Oregon, and attended the city’s Jefferson High School.


• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Rockets lead, 102-82
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 49-41
AT THE ROCKETS: Rockets lead, 61-33

​

 

[Darkwebs]

I'm watching the Rockets-Warriors game. Rockets were leading momentarily early in the 3rd. Hopefully, it goes to triple OT.

 

[theprunetang]

Where is Leonard? I didn't see his face and thought /hoped he had been traded.

 

[Strenuus]

Hopefully they (Houston) get all this scoring out their system and do what they did in Houston a few days ago.

 

[Darkwebs]

Where is Leonard? I didn't see his face and thought /hoped he had been traded.

Fixed now. Thanks!

 

[riverman]

I like the layout DW!!! Has the smell of success! Go Blazers! I think total humiliation of the Rockets is the game plan

 

[theprunetang]

Fixed now. Thanks!

I kind of wish that it was correct in the first place. ........

 

[riverman]

I kind of wish that it was correct in the first place. ........

Actually Meyers is really good for drawing the tech fouls against these diva big guys...it's a weapon when used correctly!

 

[Strenuus]

lol Ariza and Harden played 38 and 37 minutes tonight.

Thanks, incompetent Houston coaches!

 

[Darkwebs]

On the TNT post-game show, Kevin McHale said "Watch out for Portland" in regard to making the playoffs. And then Barkley chimed in and said "Damian Lillard should've been an All-Star."

It looks like some are finally taking notice of our team.

 

[-Ace-]

I'll finally be able to limp to the arena after a three-game absence. Man, I really fucking hate the Rockets. We need to get to .500! How awesome would that be???

 

[PDXFonz]

Wow that's a lot of people not interested in all star weekend. You guys aren't going to watch CJ in the skills comp?

All-Star has slowly been sliding down hill but I'm still a sucker for it...all of it. Especially the shooting stars!

 

[Strenuus]

Wow that's a lot of people not interested in all star weekend. You guys aren't going to watch CJ in the skills comp?

All-Star has slowly been sliding down hill but I'm still a sucker for it...all of it. Especially the shooting stars!

We're setting up a paint drying watch party over that weekend. We're all busy.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

On the TNT post-game show, Kevin McHale said "Watch out for Portland" in regard to making the playoffs. And then Barkley chimed in and said "Damian Lillard should've been an All-Star."

It looks like some are finally taking notice of our team.

After the OKC @ GSW game, the sportscenter analysts were looking at GSW's upcoming schedule, trying to identify any other potential losses. Michael Wilbon made a point to get everyone's attention and say "February 19th, at the Trail Blazers. Watch out for that game. The Blazers are playing really well as of late."

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Planned Valentine's day around the all star game with a gf I had in college. Terrible idea. Will never make that mistake again.

 

[blue9]

We're setting up a paint drying watch party over that weekend. We're all busy.

Can we get some massive speakers and play a soundtrack of screaming children at 110db while we watch the paint dry? Then it'll be just like watching the AS game!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

This is as big a game as one can have in mid-February. One, because it's the douchebag Rockets, two, because it's pivotal for playoff positioning, and three, because FUCK THE ROCKETS.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yep this is a big game and the Rockets know it as well. I am glad they did not get embarrassed last night. NBA teams tend to respond well after getting blown out. I think it will be a close one. Stotts needs to get in the ear of the refs early and not let the flopping be a factor.

I thought the Rockets got more calls last night vs the Warriors and they were the road team.

 

[riverman]

Wow that's a lot of people not interested in all star weekend. You guys aren't going to watch CJ in the skills comp?

All-Star has slowly been sliding down hill but I'm still a sucker for it...all of it. Especially the shooting stars!

snoozefest

 

[Draco]

I expect an easy Blazer victory. The Rockets gave all they had last night on a TNT game, they wanted an epic win in GS. Now they don't care about this one game and are ready to start the break.

The most critical thing the Blazers have to do to win this game; correctly fill out an active roster.

Here comes .500 record at the allstar break and being in a playoff spot!

 

[blue32]

I'll be going to this game boys! SO EXCITE. I freaking hate Harden, so I can not wait to heckle that POS.

 

[illmatic99]

I really want this game. Don't care for the 10:30 PM start with ESPN and it's C announcing crew. Lemme guess... Jon Barry again? ugh

 

[THE HCP]

I really want this game. Don't care for the 10:30 PM start with ESPN and it's C announcing crew. Lemme guess... Jon Barry again? ugh

So I've been showing my Director your posts about the camera cuts he makes during the game. I think if you holler at him in a professional way he'd listen...... @Jeff_Curtin

 

[illmatic99]

So I've been showing my Director your posts about the camera cuts he makes during the game. I think if you holler at him in a professional way he'd listen...... @Jeff_Curtin

Thanks.

It gets really frustrating in the middle of the game. Like that Jeff Green block on CJ at the end of the game. What purpose did it serve to switch to the baseline cam in the middle of action, live? We missed a monster block, and even if CJ finished that play, a baseline angle woulda sucked. I don't care if you guys show this stuff in replays. Just don't switch to the these random ass angles in the middle of action.

It's not too big of a deal though. I've been switching to the other team's broadcast on league pass lately. Just didn't feel like listening to Pete Pranica's whiny commentary this last game.

What I miss most is Rice's banter.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Must win here. Go into ASB at .500

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I'll be going to this game boys! SO EXCITE. I freaking hate Harden, so I can not wait to heckle that POS.

I'm thinking about picking up a couple tickets off of Stubhub, this is a game I really wanna be at! So, count me jelly!

 

[Orion Bailey]

No Undecided option? Boooo Darkwebs!!!


I have tickets to tonights game, so its a lock that we will win because i have an 11 game win streak going. last 11 games in a row have all been wins, so tonight will be no different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

The Blazers going into the ASB at .500 SHOULD be a huge topic of discussion for the national talking heads, given the expectations of the team was zero at the beginning of the year, but alas, even though Portland as a city is the darling metropolis of the day in this country, as an NBA town we are the red-headed stepchild. I doubt the team gets barely a handful of mentions that they even exist outside of CJ's skills competition. It's fucking sickening, too, because if the Lakers, the Bulls, the Knicks, the Celtics, any of the darlings of the media Gods were in the same position, they'd be plastered all over fucking ESPN and TNT.

 

[Strenuus]

No Undecided option? Boooo Darkwebs!!!


I have tickets to tonights game, so its a lock that we will win because i have an 11 game win streak going. last 11 games in a row have all been wins, so tonight will be no different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Annnnnnd you just jinxed it.

 

[PDXFonz]

Setting 600/1 odds(Blazers odds) that @BlazerWookee votes a resounding FUCK NO.

Any takers?