Tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET the Houston Rockets face a dire situation in their Western Conference playoffs Round 1 matchup vs. the Portland Trailblazers. They are down 2-0, with Game 3 tipping off from Portland tonight on ESPN. Live stream the game free by clicking this link; Rockets fans can find the radio broadcast on NewsRadio 740, while Portland fans may do likewise on Fox Sports Radio 620.
The key for Houston to winning their first game of this series is figuring out a way to slow down Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, whose feathery jump shot and dominating post game has torn the Rockets apart. He enters play averaging 44.5 points per game through the first two contests.
"He's making tough shots, he's getting to the foul line. He's offensive rebounding. He's doing the whole package and it's tough for us," said Houston guard James Harden. "We gotta figure something out real soon. In game three, it is either we win or it's over."
Blazers head coach Terry Stotts believes Aldridge's red-hot play can continue, and that his dominance is no fluke. "You can tell just by his approach how he's really dialed in and he's playing big. He's really taken it upon himself to do all these things," Stotts said Thursday. "Give him all the credit. He's been wanting this moment for a long time and he's rising to the challenge."
Aldridge himself has been humble about his fast start. "This team in general just believes in me so much and they ride the wave so well," Aldridge said.
"When I'm going one through 15, they are all cheering and telling me to shoot it. If I pass up a shot, they're all mad at me and I think having 15 guys having your back like that is great."
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