LaMarcus Aldridge scored 46 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, setting a Blazers franchise record as the No. 5 seed stole Game 1, 122-120, in overtime on Sunday. Now, Houston has to get back on track.
Trail Blazers vs. Rockets Game 2, NBA playoffs 2014: Game time, TV schedule and more
Houston has to beat Portland in order to level the series, 1-1.
Bob Levey
The Rockets let the Blazers run all over them on Sunday, as Portland counterattacked the Houston transition game by getting out on the break. Portland hung tough with the Rockets until the third quarter, when Houston opened up a sizable double-digit lead. With less than five minutes left, Damian Lillard took over the game and Portland roared back into life in order to force the game into extra time.
Portland will need to do a better job of stopping Chandler Parsons, who had 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting in Game 1. The same can be said for Houston, who will have to find a way to keep Damian Lillard out of the lane after scoring 31 points on Sunday. Patrick Beverley's knee is going to be an issue, and with Jeremy Lin, James Harden and Parsons as the remaining options, it will be hard for Houston to contain the Blazers' All-Star guard.
Strange officiating was a huge part of Game 1, and will hopefully not rear its head again. If Houston wants to be able to regain control of the series, they can’t let Portland sneak another one past them at home. Going back to Portland down 0-2 is a recipe for an early first round exit.
Game time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Toyota Center, Houston
TV: TNT
Announcing crew: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber & Marty Snider
Local: KGW, CSN Houston
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