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01.26.09 TRAIL BLAZERS VS. CLIPPERS
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BY CASEY HOLDAHL
For much of the first half, the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers gave the Portland Trail Blazers all they could handle.
Offensive rebounds and timely long-range shooting from the likes of Brian Skinner, Fred Jones and Steve Novak allowed the Clippers to build some early confidence as well an early lead. But near flawless shooting from Brandon Roy, a prefect night from the floor for Greg Oden and a third quarter buzzer-beating three from Rudy Fernandez gave Portland momentum enough to roll to a 113-88 win at Staples Center Monday night.
"They play hard, and for a team missing some of their players they are very loose out there and playing with a lot of confidence," said Nate McMillan. "They almost have that approach that they have nothing to lose, and that can be a dangerous team to play against."
With the win, the Trail Blazers move 10 games over .500 for the first time since 2003.
Roy carried the offense in the first half, tallying 22 points in the first half thanks to shooting 8-of-9 from the field. Roy finished with a game-high 33 points on 11-for-14 shooting. He also broke out of a recent foul shooting slump by going 9-for-10 from the charity stripe.
Oden once again showed the constancy and carry-over Nate McMillan has been asking of the rookie, posting a 16 point night by going a perfect 7-of-7 from the field. Oden also added six rebounds.
But it was the play of the bench unit, reunited after Steve Blake returned to the starting lineup, which proved too much for an injury depleted Clippers squad to overcome.
Travis Outlaw proved once again why he’s known as "Mr. Fourth Quarter," dropping 13 in the final frame on the way to a 20-point night.
Rudy Fernandez, who converted a heady inbounds pass from Joel Przybilla into a third quarter ending three to give Portland the halftime lead, finished the game with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. All three of Fernandez’s field goals came from beyond the arc.
Jerryd Bayless and Joel Przybilla rounded out the second unit performances, posting plus/minus of +25 and +22, respectively.
After taking just a one point lead into the half, the Trail Blazers outscored the Clippers 62-40 in the final quarters, turning what had been a closely contested game into a blowout.
"We could be really good, but it’s not about being good for one or two games, you have got be good every night," said Roy. "I think we are still taking steps towards doing that and tonight was a chance to show it. We waited a little to long to do it, but we will take it."
Blake logged 10 minutes in is first game since suffering a right shoulder separation against the Philadelphia 76ers. He would not return to the game after running into a screen in the second quarter.
The Trail Blazers return back to Portland two games behind the Denver Nuggets for first place in the Northwest Division. They’ll have a chance to cut into that lead Wednesday night at the Rose Garden against the Charlotte Bobcats. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Video Highlights || Box Score || Play-by-play
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