OK Rox fans. You are cleared to be around sharp objects again. I've been hearing from some people in the know that this little trek to Portland might be a blessing in disguise. Portland is a young team that the Rockets match up well against while Dallas is, you know, Dallas. And there was an uneasy feeling about what might happen in seven games with the boys from the Metroplex.

All that being said, it still is mind blowing that 81 games of hard work could go by the boards in one night. Home court in the playoffs has a better than 70% success rate and is worth every floor burn suffered.

The Rockets marketing campaign slogans for next year could include everything from...

Houston Rockets Basketball - So What If We're Playing the Clippers Tonight!? We Need This One and You Know It!

t0

Houston Rockets Basketball - 85% Chance We Win if Yao Doesn't Get Fronted!

But seriously folks, win one game in Portland and home court is yours again. The dream is still alive to make it out of the first round. If that happens we can declare the season a success. It won't be worth closing down Richmond for...but it's a start.

Hey, the Astros won a couple of games in Pittsburgh. Let's close down Richmond.