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NBA playoffs preview: Don't sleep on Rockets-Blazers

Rockets center Dwight Howard averaged 25.5 points and 13.5 rebounds against the Blazers this season.

Rockets center Dwight Howard averaged 25.5 points and 13.5 rebounds against the Blazers this season.

MORE PREVIEWS: TOR-BKN |IND-ATL | MIA-CHA | CHI-WAS | OKC-MEM|LAC-GSW| SAS-DAL

Rockets in six. Elite offense requires success behind the arc, at the rim and at the foul line, and the Rockets cover all of those bases better than the Blazers. During the postseason chess match, Houston looks to possess a deeper pool of offensive counters, and its primary options -- Harden and Howard -- should be the two best players on the court. Throw in Portland's defense -- which is inconsistent overall and has struggled to slow the Rockets' stars -- and Houston's home-court advantage, and the Rockets should emerge from a very competitive series.

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