To be fair to Lilliard and CJ, they haven't really allowed many layups against NOLA. Their strategy of letting the Pelicans DUNK EVERYTHING is a great way of preventing layups...
I think the Rockets should have fun with opposing players by inserting the dumbest things they've said (or others have said about them) when they are announced at Toyota Arena. At shooting guard for Portland, CJ "Aint gonna be no layups" McCollum. At point guard for the Lakers, Lonzo "Daddy says I'm better than Jordan" Ball Can you imagine how funny that would be?
So I left Houston to drive to Portland on March 17th and got there about two hours before this game. I somehow was unaware of the comments by McCollum, but I was sitting about 8 rows from the court for this game and I can ASSURE you all that the Rockets did indeed slice the Blazers defense apart. It was so...sexy. I saw layup after layup. Harden was like prime Kobe in the 4th. As an opposing fan, I literally just sat there smiling as their fans DESPERATELY chanted for defense, pleaded for someone, ANYONE to stop the beard. But James simply said no. I am asserting my will, ripping out your hearts, and taking the W because I want it more than you.
I like the Blazers strategy of trying to get inside the Pels head and disrupt them of any momentum. Had they only done this in game 1 though, little too late for them now