 |
|
 |
With two games against playoff competition remaining before the All-Star break, the Portland Trail Blazers (30-23) know they have an excellent opportunity to build momentum heading into the second half of the season. In their final game in front of the home fans before the break, the Trail Blazers will host the rapidly emerging Oklahoma City Thunder (29-21) on Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:00 PST.
The Trail Blazers have had great success recently against the Thunder, winning four straight games in the series. In their first meeting this season, the Trail Blazers allowed a franchise opponent-low six assists in the convincing 83-74 victory at the Ford Center. Portland has dominated the Thunder at the Rose Garden, winning five straight home games in this series by an average of 12.8 points per game. After winning nine consecutive match ups against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers were unable to overcome the length and athleticism of the Lakers front court in the 99-82 loss. With the Lakers holding the 47-30 rebound advantage, including limiting the Trail Blazers to a franchise-low four offensive rebounds, Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan emphasized the inability to match up with the size of the Lakers. “I thought they just had match ups and they came in with a plan to slow this tempo and pound the ball inside,” McMillan explained after the game. “With Odom and Gasol and Artest, they did that, just pounded it inside and forced us to double team. If we didn’t do that, they were able to score.” Game Info || Preview || Video: LaMarcus Aldridge on Jim Rome Is Burning
For the first time since February 17th, 2005, the Lakers have left Portland happy.
It was a long nine-game losing streak, and one they were determined to end. The fact that they didn't have Kobe Bryant in this game seemed to make them more determined to end it. And, not having to gear up to play Kobe seemed to take the energy out of the Blazers. If there was ever a case where not having Kobe on the floor could be a bad thing for Portland, this was it. We kept trying to come up with reasons why things turned so dramatically in L.A.'s favor in the final two and a-half quarters of this game. It was easy to blame Portland, and their lack of any offensive punch. But, the credit should go to the rest of the Lakers, who outworked, outhustled, outscrapped, and simply pounded the Blazers. The Lakers had a decent night offensively, and that's usually all you need when you bring it defensively like they did in this game.continue Game Info || Box Score || Recap || Video: Cunningham Blocks Farmar  |
|
TOP STORIES
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
