Every time I close my eyes, I see the face of Luis Scola. This is surely a fate worse than death, especially because it seems as if Scola's mangled face is looking more and more like late-era Michael Jackson with each passing day.

How is that even possible?

Anyway, tonight the Blazers meet the Rockets in Game Six (6:30pm on KGW/TNT), and face elimination once again. Despite all the convenient facts that make it pretty clear that Portland probably won't be winning this evening—six consecutive loses in Houston (including 12 of their last 13)—there is always a chance. And if by some strange act of God—or Steve Blake deciding against shooting an airball with about ten seconds to go—the Blazers are victorious tonight, they can probably win the series if it returns to town on Saturday. Fingers crossed.