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After a lethargic start to the season, the Portland Trail Blazers (6-3) appear to have hit their form in very impressive fashion. In a strikingly similar result to the match up this past Sunday, the Trail Blazers were able to use a huge third quarter to surge to a 107-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-8). The 6-3 start marks the best start to a season for the Trail Blazers since the 1999-2000 team started the season 8-1.
Using a terrific second half against Memphis as a springboard, Greg Oden came out and played his best game of the season. Oden played with excellent confidence throughout the game, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while also committing zero fouls. When able to stay on the court, Oden has shown that he can be one of the most dominant forces in this league. Andre Miller finished a point shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 assists, and Brandon Roy also turned in a solid performance with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Martell Webster and Rudy Fernandez added 16 and 15 points off the bench, respectively. The win was the Blazers' 10th straight over the Wolves and the fourth in a row overall. Portland will continue their road trip against New Orleans on Friday at 5 pm. Game Info || Box Score || Video: First Half Highlights
The Trail Blazers shocked us on Sunday with their sudden ability to run, gun, and push the tempo under just about any circumstance. Tuesday, in the first game of this road trip, they did an about face. Rather than attempt to run with a struggling team, who’d much rather run, the Blazers turned it into a half-court contest and frustrated the Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis doesn’t defend, but they can score. They came into the game averaging 106 points per game. Portland simply decided to turn the screws defensively, control the tempo, and held them to just 79 points, in the 93-79 victory- the 8th-straight victory over the Grizzlies. Brandon Roy, who was just 1 for 6 against Minnesota on Sunday, led the Blazers with 20 points, and also recorded 7 assists. He got plenty of help. LaMarcus Aldridge helped get the team off to a great start, and ended with 16 points, and 12 rebounds. Steve Blake was productive again in this new three-guard lineup, scoring 14 points and going 4 for 6 from behind the three-point line. Game Info || Video: Outlaw Slams It Home || Vote Your Favorite For All-Star 2010 |
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