2014 Playoffs vs Rockets Series
A stunning upset sweep that halted Portland's title hopes in the first round.
The 2014 Western Conference First Round series between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets stands as a stark reminder of playoff unpredictability during the franchise's modern era. Facing off in the spring of 2014, the third-seeded Blazers entered as favorites against the sixth-seeded Rockets, boasting a potent offense led by LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.
- Series Result
- Rockets swept 4-0
- Season
- 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs
- Blazers Seed
- Western Conference No. 3
- Rockets Seed
- Western Conference No. 6
- Key Blazer Star
- LaMarcus Aldridge / Damian Lillard
- Key Rocket Star
- James Harden
Lore & Background
This series is often cited by historians as a turning point in the narrative of the Aldridge-Lillard era. Coming off strong regular seasons, expectations were high for Portland to challenge the top seeds like Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Instead, the Rockets' physical style disrupted the Blazers' flow, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that had been masked during the long 82-game grind. The narrative tension centered on whether Portland's home-court advantage at the Moda Center could withstand Houston's aggressive defense. James Harden’s scoring outbursts defined the matchup, often neutralizing Portland's perimeter threats. The sweep was particularly painful for fans who believed this roster had finally reached its ceiling, making the abrupt exit one of the more memorable disappointments in recent franchise history.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed over the hardwood as the fourth quarter wound down in Game Four. The scoreboard glowed bright red, signaling a lead that seemed insurmountable for the home team. Fans in the upper deck fell silent, realizing the season was ending before it truly began. The Rockets' defense had suffocated every attempt to rally, turning what should have been a defensive victory into a hollow defeat.
Reader's Guide
The 2014 Western Conference First Round matchup saw the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers fall to the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets in a shocking four-game sweep. Entering the postseason as one of the West's top contenders, Portland relied heavily on LaMarcus Aldridge’s interior scoring and Damian Lillard’s perimeter threat. However, the Rockets' defensive intensity proved overwhelming throughout the series. James Harden emerged as the primary antagonist, consistently finding ways to score against Portland's zone and man defenses. Dwight Howard dominated the paint, challenging Aldridge for rebounding supremacy and altering shots near the rim. The Blazers struggled to find rhythm on offense when their star players were double-teamed. This series remains etched in fan memory as a painful reminder of playoff volatility. Despite regular-season success, home-court advantage meant little as Houston took control early. The sweep ended Portland's hopes for another deep run during the Aldridge-Lillard partnership era, marking a low point before future rebuilding efforts.
Did You Know?
- The Rockets became only the second team in franchise history to sweep the Blazers in the playoffs at that time.
- James Harden averaged over 25 points per game throughout the series against Portland's defense.
- Portland entered the series with a strong home record but failed to win any games at the Moda Center.