Written by Zach Harper | 18 April 2009

Yao Ming had been talking all week about how he planned to put his brand on the first round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Mission accomplished so far. Yao was picture perfect in the first half of a Game 1 108-81 win, scoring 24 points in 25 minutes and grabbing 7 rebounds on 9 of 9 shooting from the field. The Rockets shot 75% as a team in the first quarter and it became quickly clear who was going to win this game.

Any way you look at it, the Trail Blazers were dominated. The Rockets out-hustled, out-shot and and overwhelmed in their return to the playoffs. With 11 minutes in the 4th quarter, the Rockets were up 30 points. Did anyone see this coming? Even Yao Ming's mama didn't expect this.

The Rockets got a steady diet of scoring from other players than Ming. Luis Scola and Ron Artest helped the Rockets increase their lead even when Yao Ming had to sit the bench for an extended period in the 2nd half.

The Blazers for three quarters were basically Brandon Roy and a bunch of awe-struck youngsters standing around the court. When Roy went down in the second quarter after hitting his head on Ron Artest's knee, there was a moment where you had to think this series might be over. Roy looked like the only Blazer not nervous in the game.

The X-factor of this series may end up being Aaron Brooks, whose up-tempo game is something Steve Blake and the Blazers can't handle. He struggled briefly in the 3rd quarter, but got hot from the 3-point line again, hitting 3 in a row. If Brooks gets confidence, the Rockets are going to be a team to watch out for, and this series may end quicker than anyone expected.

Memo to Ron Artest. Stop shooting 3-pointers so often. I don't care if you're the 10th best 3-pointer shooter when it comes to 3s a game. You airball every other one. It's embarrassing. You're too talented and too big up top to settle for shots with a hand in your face behind the line.

Why the Rockets Won

The Rockets won because Yao Ming set the tempo early and played better than I have ever seen. He had help from supporting scorers, which helped prevent the Blazers from making a rally in the third as he sat and rested. Aaron Brooks followed Derrick Rose's lead earlier in the day by playing a great game in his first start in the playoffs. The physical nature of Houston's defense was too much. That combined with a surprising up-tempo offense and unbelievable shooting overall, 59% from the field, buried the Blazers.

Why the Trail Blazers Lost

The Trail Blazers lost because ... well how much time do you have? Other than Greg Oden's production against the Rockets' bench, there was no offense from anyone except for Brandon Roy. Joel Przybilla got in foul trouble early, so the lane was open for Scola and Brooks to attack. There was nothing aggressive out of a team that has played hard all season at home. They played uninspired basketball. End of story.

Heading into Next Game
The Trail Blazers have a lot of questions to answer. They've given up home court advantage to a team that looks much better than advertised. The young and inexperience Blazers need to bring intensity next game or run the risk of getting swept. Yeah, that's how big next game is for them, I believe. The Rockets have to continue to put the pedal to the floor. Winning the first game is great, but we have seen this before from Houston. Now's not the time to get cocky.
Prediction: Portland in a close one 

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