Perspective

[B-Roy]

In 08-09 when we lost to the Rockets, we also ended up winning G5 by double digits. Close game throughout, we pulled away at the end.

Got blown out of game 6.

Time for some history to repeat itself....with the teams swapped.

 

[magnifier661]

I mean, would you rather be Indiana and OKC, "contenders" who are DOWN 2-3 and going on the ROAD?

We're up 3-2 going home. We're good. This team is incredibly tough mentally.

You forgot to mention Houston as well. They are still down 2-3

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Underdog teams up 3-1 win game 5 17% of the time, but win game 6 70% of the time.

 

[Strenuus]

Underdog teams up 3-1 win game 5 17% of the time, but win game 6 70% of the time.

Interesting.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Blazers favored by 3.5 by Vegas. That makes me feel a little better.

 

[maxiep]

I SAID we WON'T but I'm trying to calm down the people who think we suck because we didn't sweep. maxiep was voice of reason and optimism even when we were faltering in the second half of the season. Now, he's freaking out. There's nothing to freak out about. We are having a GREAT season and a GREAT playoffs. What is there to fret?

Not everyone is manic, so don't color everyone else's viewpoint with your own emotional issues. I'm not freaking out. I watched the game twice, and am deeply disappointed by what I saw from us. If you can't see we're in trouble and need to make a serious change in how we approach playoff basketball, then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Strenuus]

Not everyone is manic, so don't color everyone else's viewpoint with your own emotional issues. I'm not freaking out. I watched the game twice, and am deeply disappointed by what I saw from us. If you can't see we're in trouble and need to make a serious change in how we approach playoff basketball, then I don't know what to tell you.

Isn't that exactly what you're accusing KS of? Coloring everyone elses' viewpoint. "There's nothing to freak out about. What is there to fret?" KS... "If you can't see we're in trouble..." You. It's both ends of the spectrum.

I'm not worried. I don't see the need to worry, really. Harden's sporadic play would be something to worry about if I was a houston fan... LMA's lone "disappearing act" in a playoffs filled with quality moments, however, is not. imo, of course.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

The Blazers will win Game 6. I disagree with Eric that the Blazers have been the better team in this series, they've just been more consistent and have made fewer mistakes. Aldridge balling out of his mind in Games 1 and 2 has been the true key. Since McHale has put Howard and Asik on him full time, L.A. has definitely come back down to earth. The true hero of this series for the Blazers is Robin Lopez. He is working harder than any Blazer I've seen since Brian Grant. He is battling what he KNOWS is a losing war against Dwight Howard, but he keeps coming back for 100% effort every play. He's outworking Dwight 70% of the time, which is absolutely keeping the Blazers in contention for each game.

Lin caught fire last night, and Aldridge had a somewhat poor game. Neither will happen on Friday.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

He is working harder than any Blazer I've seen since Brian Grant.

I see where you are going with this....But Wes works pretty damn hard.

 

[magnifier661]

The only thing that has concerned me is we are playing with fire right now... Harden can't stay this bad from the field. Every game we give them, the more likely Harden will finally find his shot. We need to close this team out tomorrow in a bad way because I think Harden will shoot lights out on Sunday, if it gets that far.

 

[adrenalize74]

I am a very optimistic person, I usually see the best is situations and always see the silver lining. However, I have a sinking feeling that game 5 was a "must win" for the Blazers. Houston is back in it at 3-2 and now have momentum and confidence. We needed to close it out to prevent them from gaining confidence, and we didnt.

I fear we lose game 6 at home and Houston takes it in game 7.

If we dont close this out in game 6, its over.

I hate being pessimistic, its againts my nature.

 

[KingSpeed]

For all of our starters and most of our backups, Friday's game will be the very first true "must win" game of their NBA careers.

I know Dame can handle it. Can the others?

Aldridge and Batum have played 4 must win games and won 1 (game 5 vs Houston in 09). Wes has played 3 (1 with Utah, 2 with Portland).

Tomorrow is not must win.

 

[KingSpeed]

Not everyone is manic, so don't color everyone else's viewpoint with your own emotional issues. I'm not freaking out. I watched the game twice, and am deeply disappointed by what I saw from us. If you can't see we're in trouble and need to make a serious change in how we approach playoff basketball, then I don't know what to tell you.

So unless we sweep every series, we are "in trouble"?

 

[BBert]

Aldridge and Batum have played 4 must win games and won 1 (game 5 vs Houston in 09). Wes has played 3 (1 with Utah, 2 with Portland).

Tomorrow is not must win.

You are right on the first part. I must have blocked out their previous elimination games.

On the second, I really do think the Blazers need to treat Friday's game as an elimination game, as if their backs are against the wall. Without that kind of focus, intensity and determination, Houston is going to be a tough out. We do not want to go back to Houston.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I am a very optimistic person, I usually see the best is situations and always see the silver lining. However, I have a sinking feeling that game 5 was a "must win" for the Blazers. Houston is back in it at 3-2 and now have momentum and confidence. We needed to close it out to prevent them from gaining confidence, and we didnt.

I fear we lose game 6 at home and Houston takes it in game 7.

If we dont close this out in game 6, its over.

I hate being pessimistic, its againts my nature.

I'm the same way (though obviously I have fandom bipolarism), and I have the same sinking feeling.

We did win one more game than any other series since 2004 or whatever.

 

[H.C.]

just going to say it because I want to.

The Blazers have overall been the better team throughout this series.

If not for the 40ft's in the 2nd half(34 of which weren't hack a howard) That games a blow out.
Blazers had control of game 2 throughout, and really outplayed the rockets.
Game 3 the Blazers weren't ready for the rose garden(oh sorry moda center) crowd and that got to them earily.
Game 4 the Blazers outplayed the rockets again both teams dealt with terrible officiating but the Blazers played through it better.
Game 5 was a mistake and the Blazers should have played harder.
Game 6? Blazers win advance and holy shit this season has been a greater success than anyone could have ever imagined.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Much better season than most people expected, to lose the series would be heartbreaking though. Just win baby!

 

[maxiep]

Isn't that exactly what you're accusing KS of? Coloring everyone elses' viewpoint. "There's nothing to freak out about. What is there to fret?" KS... "If you can't see we're in trouble..." You. It's both ends of the spectrum.

I'm not worried. I don't see the need to worry, really. Harden's sporadic play would be something to worry about if I was a houston fan... LMA's lone "disappearing act" in a playoffs filled with quality moments, however, is not. imo, of course.

The difference is that I'm actually analyzing the play of each team, not just viscerally reacting because I want the Blazers to win and I'm trying to make myself feel better.

Playoff games are about moves and countermoves. For the past three games, McHale has made interesting countermoves that Stotts has yet to match quickly enough. There is now a pattern where our second unit goes in and almost immediately loses ground. We then spend the second half trying to catch up, playing uphill.

It's time to dictate, not be dictated to. We have the talent to do it. In my mind, it means every single player channeling their inner Wes and RoLo. There is no excuse for Aldridge and Lillard to disappear for stretches on the floor. And Nico? He needs to put a lock down on Parsons from the get-go, not just the second half.

 

[maxiep]

So unless we sweep every series, we are "in trouble"?

Now you're just being silly. I'll leave you to your own devices, but you should know better. If you don't; that's your problem. I choose not to own it.

 

[maxiep]

Much better season than most people expected, to lose the series would be heartbreaking though. Just win baby!

Regardless of how this series turns out, this season IMO will have been a real success. My guess is Olshey thinks we're a year or two ahead of schedule.