2009 NBA Playoffs: Game 2 - Portland Trailblazers 107 Houston Rockets 103 (Highlights)

Game 2: Portland Trailblazers 107 Houston Rockets 103

Analysis: There were a couple differences in this game from Game1 that led to a Portland victory. The first is that Yao Ming was in foul trouble and played just 31 minutes and scored just 11 points. The second is that LaMarcus Aldridge played way better in Game 2 than in Game 1 and of course Brandon Roy dropping 42 points didn't hurt either. Houston continues to play well on offense, which makes me wonder if they just matchup well with the Blazers. If that's true then Portland might be in trouble despite their victory in Game 2. I think Portland should treat Game 3 like a Game 7 and try to take control of the series or else this thing might shift if Houston's favor.

Key Players of The Game

Brandon Roy: Roy played like a superstar in this game. There have been questions about whether or not he is a true superstar and # 1 option that can lead a team through the playoffs. One big game doesn't answer that question, but if he can match this performance on a consistent basis then the doubters will go away. Roy finished the game with 42 points and also had 7 rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge: After such a poor Game 1 by Aldridge, he had a lot of pressure to come out and play better in Game 2 and he was able to do that by scoring 27 points, grabbing 12 boards, and blocking 3 shots. Aldridge will have to duplicate his Game 2 success for the Blazers to beat the Rockets.

Aaron Brooks: I didn't think Brooks would be able to score 20+ points again, but he proved me wrong by dropping 23 points in Game 2 on 9 of 12 from the floor, including knocking down 4 of 5 from deep. The Blazers might have to think about using someone off the bench a little more at PG instead of Steve Blake if Brooks keeps torching him.

Von Wafer: Wafer stepped up in this game with 21 points off the bench. It wasn't enough to help the Rockets pull out the victory, but it might give the confidence going forward to help the Rockets get some scoring punch off of their bench.

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