It’s been a tiring and emotionally draining week for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The combination of clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2003, playing four games in five nights and coming back from double digit deficits against the Grizzlies, Spurs and Lakers has taken a toll on the bodies and minds of the Red and Black. Nevertheless, Portland found a way to hold off a resilient Clippers team 97-72 at the Staples Center Saturday night for their 52nd win of the season and their 20th win on the road. The 52 wins are the most by a Portland team since the 1999-2000 season.
Portland started off both the first and third quarters poorly, but made timely runs in the second and fourth quarters to make up the difference. The Blazers finished off the first half on a 20-6 run and put away the game in the fourth quarter thanks to a 21-4 spurt.
Five Trail Blazers scored in double figures, with LaMarcus Aldridge leading all scorers with 21 points to go along with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Brandon Roy finished with 15 points, well below his season average, though he took just eight shots, making five.
Rudy Fernandez continued his hot shooting off the bench, ending the night with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Fernandez went 2-for-4 from beyond the arc and added four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 28 minutes. He also finished the night with plus/minus rating of +22.
Portland tied Houston for the No. 3 seed with its fourth straight victory. The Trail Blazers also pulled within a game of Northwest Division leader Denver, which is second in the West.
The Trail Blazers return home to play their final regular season games at the Rose Garden. The Blazers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night and the Nuggets on Wednesday before turning their focus to the playoffs.
