By Dan Christopherson, KOIN Local 6 Sports Director

     It's going to happen, folks.  The core group of this current Blazers team is going to win a road playoff game.  And then they're going to win another.  And another.  And then it's going to become second nature.
     And when this all transpires, Blazer fans can look back on where it all began.  That first important playoff road win.  The day they scaled the barrier and never looked back.  The breakthrough post-season game on enemy ground.
     Tonight could be that night.
     The Game 6 odds are stacked against them in Houston, where Portland teams have lost 12 of the last 13.  The relevant number is four:  All four Blazer games in the Toyota Center this season have ended in defeat, including Games 3 and 4 of this series in the past week.  
      The Rockets just seem to have a knack of grinding out home wins when they see those Blazer black jerseys coming at 'em.   Chalk it up to the heart of Shane Battier, the problematic reach of Yao Ming, that scrappy bench and Rick Adelman's crafty coaching.  
      And while the Blazers almost stole one of those first two in Houston--in the playoffs, 'almost' only gets you eliminated.  They haven't broken through, and they'll face a tough road getting it done in Game 6.
      But when it finally happens, I see a light going on.  This is a Blazer team building on every experience.  A few years ago, they showed flashes of substance.  Last year, they were only good enough to win half and lose half, and the NBA still didn't take them seriously.  This year, they're on everyone's Most Improved Team list, but still overlooked when it comes to talk of serious title contenders.
     Why?  They haven't beaten many quality teams on the road.  Championship contenders go into other arenas and play like they own the place.  Not every time, but enough to seize momentum in every series.  These young Trail Blazers haven't taken that step yet.  But you can see it developing.  They've had their moments.  And one of these days, it's all going to come together.
     On paper, they seem to be one steady veteran scorer short.  And maybe another tested playmaker.  Another year or two of Greg Oden growing into his game and becoming a more consistent force.  An All-Star season out of LaMarcus Aldridge.  And continued health and well-being for Brandon Roy.  Management has told us it wants this "cake to bake."  And if they watch it carefully, add a key ingredient here or there and apply just the right heat, Portland might feast on a championship down the road.
     That's right, down the ROAD.  How far down?  That's up to this '09 Blazer team.  They've arrived at the crossroads in Houston.  One more big shot at a breakthrough.      
     Wait 'til next year?  Add a veteran or two?  Stand by for Oden to emerge?  That's the formula in the recipe book.  That's on paper.  This Blazer team has the power in Game 6 to tear that page out and write its own playoff blueprint.  They don't have to accept the standard timeline.  Tonight could be the night.  
     And when it finally happens, the Rip City Uprise will truly have wings.