NBA playoffs: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers, Game 1 :WagerWeb Entertainment

NBA playoffs: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers, Game 1

17 April 2009 366 views No Comment

Probably the most evenly-matched first round NBA playoff series in either conference is Houston and Portland out West, with the Blazers getting the No. 4 seed and home court in this series courtesy of a win over Denver on the season’s final night. The Rockets, meanwhile, could have risen as high as No. 2 with a win in their final game but blew a lead at Dallas and dropped all the way to No. 5.

Portland has opened as a -155 WagerWeb.com money line series favorite.

The Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03, while Houston hasn’t advanced to the second round since 1997 – losing six straight first-round series.

“I mean, I’ve been on this team seven years and never got (past the first round),” Rockets center Yao Ming said. “That will be the basic goal, right there.”

The regular season series went to Houston 2-1, but the Blazers are red hot, winners of 10 of their past 11 while Houston went 6-4 in its final 10 games. Portland is a 4-point favorite for Game 1 on WagerWeb.com.

Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 23.3 points in three meetings, while Brandon Roy, who will see many doubles teams and face various defensive looks with both Ron Artest and Shane Battier providing coverage, averaged 21 points and 5.3 assists against the Rockets this season but on just 39 percent shooting.

Houston’s defense allowed the seventh-fewest points (94.4 per game) and fifth-lowest field goal percentage (44.4) in the NBA.

But the key for the Blazers likely will be two guys who don’t score much: centers Joel Przybilla and rookie Greg Oden. Their ability to slow Yao, who averaged 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds this season, could be the difference.

“If we can contain him and make some other guys beat us, we should hopefully have a good series,” Przybilla said. “He’s one of the best centers in the league and he makes it very physical. He demands a lot of attention and we’re definitely going to give him that attention.”

No team in the NBA is better in close games than Portland, which was 9-1 in games decided by 3 points or less this season. Houston is just 5-8 in that scenario.

WagerWeb.com Trends

* Rockets are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.

* Rockets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.

* Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Northwest.

* Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.

* Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games.

* Rockets are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.

* Rockets are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.

* Rockets are 37-17-1 ATS in their last 55 games following a ATS loss.

* Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as an underdog.

* Rockets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Conference Quarterfinals games.

* Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.

* Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

* Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.

* Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

* Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
* Trail Blazers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.

* Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.

* Trail Blazers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games.

* Trail Blazers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.

* Trail Blazers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.

* Trail Blazers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.

* Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

* Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.

* Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

* Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.

* Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

* Trail Blazers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games overall.

* Trail Blazers are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games as a favorite.