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Blazers vs. Rockets: Instant Memories

Nostalgia. It's usually reserved for events of years past. Rasheed Wallace, Sabonis, Pippen and Mighty Mouse. Drexler, Porter, and the several runs of the late 80's and early 90's. And of course, the glorious championship of '77. Those are some of the memories that spark nostalgia in any Blazer fan.

Add Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets to that list. I am already filled with nostalgia about that series. Especially the best game I will ever go to, until the day we hoist that trophy if I am lucky enough to be in attendance.

Even without the sheer euphoria of the Moda Center Miracle, it was an amazing series.

Game 1. The Blazers enter Houston as major underdogs, with few picking them. There were so many heroics in that game, perhaps overshadowed by later events.

It was a back and forth affair, until Houston took a double-digit lead with a few minutes to go. But, the Blazers came storming back. Lillard ties it with a three with 29.1 left! But wait, notorious flopper James Harden is fouled and knocks down two free throws.

On the other end... Matthews misses a chance for the win... Lillard misses a chance to tip-in for the tie... but LaMarcus Aldridge comes up and tips it in! Harden can't hit it and we're headed for five more.

Overtime. Four controversial foul-outs. An early six point lead for Houston. LaMarcus hits a fadeaway three right in Howard's face, his second of the game. Lillard gives Portland a lead on an and-one, and Harden comes up short once again. PORTLAND WINS!

By the end LaMarcus had established a franchise playoff record with 46 points. Lillard added 31 in his playoff debut.

Game 2. Portland had stolen one in Houston, but it wasn't going to happen again. The Rockets were confident of this.

Howard starts out dominant, giving Houston a lead. But, LaMarcus matches everything Howard does, roasting any defender Houston throws at him and giving the Blazers the lead back in the second half. The Rockets make a run, but fall asleep on a game-sealing Matthews' lay-up. Portland 112, Houston 105.

The Blazers, underdogs, are 2-0. LaMarcus Aldridge has joined elite company scoring 40 points back to back in the playoffs. Fans and the media alike cannot believe it.

Back to Rip City. Portland fans are pumped to welcome playoff basketball back. The atmosphere is unbelievable. My first playoff game since the 2000 heartbreak.

But the Rockets come out in desperation. They find a way to slow LaMarcus, and get off to a double-digit lead early lead. But, in true Portland fashion, we make a run and it is soon a close contest. After going back and forth in the second half, Houston again takes a double-digit lead.

Until Mo Williams converts a 4-point play, sparking another Blazer run. And Lillard hits one of the most difficult shots of the year.

It goes down to the wire... Batum hits a huge three to tie the game with 42 second left. Lillard misses a potential go-ahead bucket, then Harden makes a terrible mistake advancing the ball before calling timeout, forcing an ensuing half-court prayer. Overtime again.

Portland takes the early lead before settling in to another back-and-forth. And then it happened. A moment that would have been infamous forever if things ended differently.

Mo Williams looked to come up with a big steal, before Jeremy Lin tackled him and arguably traveled. Unexpected hero/villain, Troy Daniels, who had been in the D-League just weeks ago, hit the go-ahead three. Houston survives.

But that wasn't going to dampen Portland's enthusiasm. Fans were ready once again. After the first three games, everyone could expect a thriller once again. And this game did not disappoint.

Houston took an early lead and actually held on... But we know the Blazers well, they weren't giving one up without a fight, coming back in the fourth again. It was another close finish going back and forth until Batum missed a three down two. Jeremy Lin grabbed the board, then chaos ensued...

Mo Williams tipped it away, then made an out-of-bounds (borderline) save. Matthews misses, but gets in there on the board, knocking the ball loose. Lillard retrieves and they swing it to Williams, who nails the go ahead three!

But Portland can't seal it from the foul line, Houston ties it, and Williams misses a tough three. Yet another OT.

The Blazers take an early lead, but nearly give it away at the end with a flurry of threes, missed free throws, and a bad foul. Houston has one last chance to tie, but Wesley Matthews comes up big for a steal. Game over!

Game 5. A chance to take the series. Houston takes the early lead again behind tough D on LaMarcus. Matthews comes up big with 18 3rd quarter points, and Portland brings it within one in the fourth. But it wasn't the same this time, as Houston pulls away with the series' lone double-digit victory.

Game 6. One chance to end the series without giving Houston another shot at home. Portland fans are raucous as usual.

While I was stoked, it did not get off to a great start for me. We were seated next to a man with some of the worst body odor I have ever smelled, causing immediate nausea and game-long sickness.

Back to the game. In what had become familiar, Houston got the lead, before Portland came back and back-and-forth we went

One of the defining moments of this game came not during play, but the between-quarters entertainment. There were three children in a contest to race down the court, put on oversize Blazer gear, and sink a layup. My section was assigned to cheer for Blake.

Blake symbolized the Blazers. He was an underdog as well. Younger and smaller than his opponents, he was all heart out there, beating his opponents down the court and sinking the layup immediately. His section went nuts, we chanted "Blake! Blake! Blake!" as he exited the court.

And so began one quarter of Blazer basketball that will go down in history. Houston brought a one-point lead. Portland brought clutch.

Thomas Robinson came up with a surprising performance to give the Blazers the early quarter lead. But Dwight Howard and Houston responded. Before the Blazers came back with another unsung hero, Robin Lopez. And once again, this one became a nail-biter.

With less than a minute to go, Nic Batum hit another difficult clutch shot to tie the game (for the 14th time). The Rockets get it to Dwight on the next possession, and the Blazers force the miss, Lillard coming up with the rebound. But the whistle blows, he had not established possession in-bounds. Houston gets another shot to take the lead.

As the clock winds down Harden pulls up and misses yet another clutch shot. Lopez gets his hands on the ball, but is not able to secure. Somehow, Parsons comes up with the rebound and scores with 0.9 left.

Blazer fans are deflated. There were a few moments of devastation. Back to Houston after all this? But it only takes us a few moments to realize this is Blazer basketball. We still had one more shot.

Lillard is able to gain some room running from his defender. He rises up, with the series, and much more, on the line. No series' victories in 14 years.

The ball sails through the air. Silence.

Net.

The ball went in.

Blazers win.

Time seemed to freeze for just a split second. I could barely believe what had just happened. It was surreal.

And then I exploded, along with the rest of the arena. And it wouldn't stop. So many stranger hugs, fist bumps, and high fives. Cheering until voices were hoarse. Jumping up and down until sweat poured.

And just as it begun to die down, Lillard gets the mic and yells "Rip Citaaaay!" The crowd explodes again. Later, it continues in the halls. And on the streets as people cheer and cars honk. We are headed to the second round.

Many hours I have spent watching videos of that series, especially that shot. Regardless of being flattened along by the Spurs, that will go down as one of the greatest moments and greatest series' in Blazer history.

The many great moments. Aldridge establishing himself as a Blazer all-timer. Lillard's memorable playoff debut. Matthews doing great work on Harden. Batum's less-noted but frequent clutch play. And Lopez's tenacity, taking hits from Howard down low. What a series.

Just in case you would like to join me in re-living, here are some fantastic mini-movies made by our friend Brandon Mitchell:

Game 6: http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/2014/05/05/RocketsGame6MiniMovietuesdaymp4-3260175

Game 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnevBhk-V6w

Game 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWNwDCtUsAA

Game 4: http://www.nba.com/nbatv/?fnbatv=1

And, The Shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mejFtEY5faU

We Are. Rip City.