12 Jan 11 Trail Blazers-Rockets: Positional Matchup Preview

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesHouston Rockets coverage at Rockets Buzz and The Dream Shake.BlazersAnalysis RocketsPGAaron Brooks has made himself a borderline all-star for Houston. His game is perfectly fitted for the NBA. None of our point guards will contain him in Houston and with Lowry Miami Dolphins jersey
backing him up, we're in trouble. Hopefully Bayless can provide a spark off the bench, but this is the Rockets' best advantage.PGSGTrevor Ariza began the season scoring in bunches but lately he's slowed down. His numbers are leveling off but he's still a great defensive player and good all around for this team. I'm going out on a limb here thinking that Steve Blake and Rudy Fernandez will pick up the slack. Solid games for both and a matchup victory.SGSFThis could be a tremendous overall matchup and one to watch carefully. With Nicolas Batum's recent emergence as a scoring option, it will be interesting to see who attempts to guard him. On the flip side, who will Nic be guard for the Rockets? The hot guy? Who knows, but Martell needs to get off in this game, his shot will be there, and the Blazers will win the matchup.SFPFThis is a pretty bad matchup for LaMarcus. Scola and Landry combined are tough interior defenders and present difficulties on the boards as well. It would be nice if LA could mix it up a little, but I suspect we'll see a lot of jumpers. Perhaps Cunningham can provide some resistance on defense, but not likely.PFCFor once, the Blazer's undersized medium's will be facing somewhat similar "height challenged" opponents for Houston. Chuck Hayes doesn't do much offensively Minnesota Vikings
but he's a defensive stud. Landry and David Anderson will probably also play some center, and I think in Houston their bigs will make it very tough for Juwan and Jeff. Houston is a terrible overall matchup and I don't see this game turning out very positive.COverall Winner: