thinkingdog's NBA MONDAY pick/analysis **ROCKETS**

[thinkingdog]

Hey all, first time posting my plays (other than contests) here!

I love this game tonight between the Trailblazers and Rockets!

Houston Rockets -7.5

Expect the Rockets to get out ahead early and try to put the young Trailblazers on their heels. Look for Yao to shred Portland's interior defense, while McGrady and the other outside shooters put up some decent numbers, taking passes from out of Yao's double teams.

Brandon Roy is questionable (personal/death in family) as is Scola (finger/hand) for the Rockets. However, Houston's deeper bench should keep things flowing when the starters rest. Adelman's motion offence is finally starting to click with extra passes making for quality shots inside and out.

Portland has cooled after a great run, and now their youth and inexperience might keep their confidence down. Meanwhile, the Rockets have been hot as of late and want to push hard before the Allstar break to bring in a respectable record in the overloaded Western Conference, especially after underwhelming many expectations earlier in the season.

In addition, the Rockets are looking to improve on their mediocre home record at Toyota Center (have won their last three at home). Portland, however, are 8-16 on the road, and losers of their last two in a row while Houston is riding a season high six game winning streak.

The Rockets have OWNED Portland recently, winning its last three meetings, while the Trailblazer have dropped eight of its last ten contests in Houston.

ATS Portland has been a healthy and impressive 5-2 against Houston, but I expect this one to be at least a dozen-point win for the newly confident Rockets over a recently downtrodden Blazers team.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL!

[Trossi3389]

Nice write-up !! GL with it

[thinkingdog]

Thanks Trossi!

[WonderDog]

Originally Posted by thinkingdog

Hey all, first time posting my plays (other than contests) here!

I love this game tonight between the Trailblazers and Rockets!

Houston Rockets -7.5

Expect the Rockets to get out ahead early and try to put the young Trailblazers on their heels. Look for Yao to shred Portland's interior defense, while McGrady and the other outside shooters put up some decent numbers, taking passes from out of Yao's double teams.

Brandon Roy is questionable (personal/death in family) as is Scola (finger/hand) for the Rockets. However, Houston's deeper bench should keep things flowing when the starters rest. Adelman's motion offence is finally starting to click with extra passes making for quality shots inside and out.

Portland has cooled after a great run, and now their youth and inexperience might keep their confidence down. Meanwhile, the Rockets have been hot as of late and want to push hard before the Allstar break to bring in a respectable record in the overloaded Western Conference, especially after underwhelming many expectations earlier in the season.

In addition, the Rockets are looking to improve on their mediocre home record at Toyota Center (have won their last three at home). Portland, however, are 8-16 on the road, and losers of their last two in a row while Houston is riding a season high six game winning streak.

The Rockets have OWNED Portland recently, winning its last three meetings, while the Trailblazer have dropped eight of its last ten contests in Houston.

ATS Portland has been a healthy and impressive 5-2 against Houston, but I expect this one to be at least a dozen-point win for the newly confident Rockets over a recently downtrodden Blazers team.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL!

GL

[THE_ROOKIEEE]

Bol And Good Luck On Your Play

[thinkingdog]

Thanks guys!