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02.24.09 TRAIL BLAZERS VS. ROCKETS
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BY CASEY HOLDAHL
Making up an 18-point deficit is difficult against any team in the NBA, but it’s almost impossible against a disciplined and defensive-minded Houston Rockets team playing at home. The Portland Trail Blazers (35-21) almost pulled off what would have been a stunning comeback thanks to near perfect shooting from Nicolas Batum, but in the end, the Rockets (36-21) held on to win 98-94 Tuesday night.
The Trail Blazers struggled through yet another difficult first half, resulting in a 60-43 deficit at the break.
"Our offensive execution led to a lot of fast break points for Houston," said Nate McMillan. "They went off on a big run in the first half and we didn’t answer.
"In the second half we fought back but it’s very tough to get behind so much early. The Rockets are a very good defensive team and they defended us well. In the second half our offense was more efficient and our transition defense was better.”
Portland’s resilience, sparked by a14 point third quarter from Batum, made a game out of what seemed to be shaping up as a blowout. Batum shot 5-of-6 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the three-point line. The Trail Blazers were +22 with Batum on the floor.
“Nicolas was really making Artest work," said McMillan. "He was playing offense and defense and it forced me to go with him down the stretch."
"[Batum] did everything you could ask of him," said Steve Blake. "He shot the ball well. He is a great defender and doesn’t need a lot of shots to get involved in the game.”
Portland got decent scoring nights out of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, though neither turned in a particularly efficient shooting performance. Roy finished with 24 points on 10-of-24 shooting and Aldridge added 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting. Roy and Aldridge combined for 42 shots, which also happened to be the number of shots the rest of the team took collectively.
Blake added just nine points, but also contributed seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. Travis Outlaw finished with 15 points and a rebound.
The Trail Blazers had opportunities, despite the sluggish start, to sneak out of Houston with a much needed road win, but Portland could take full advantage of what few mistakes the Rockets made.
“We have to do a better job to start the game," said Roy. "It’s tough to come back and we couldn’t get over the hump. We don’t seem to fully understand the intensity we need to start the game with. We have to play better in the first half.”
Rudy Fernandez’s streak of consecutive games with a made three-pointer ended at 31 games on Monday after the rookie from Spain failed to sink any of his three attempts from beyond the arc. Fernandez finished with four points and a rebound.
The loss drops the Trail Blazers to fifth in the Western Conference standings, though they trail the Rockets by just half a game for fourth spot. Portland sits only one and a half games behind the Denver Nuggets in the race for the Northwest Division crown.
Portland has an opportunity to get back into the upper half of the Western Conference playoff race Wednesday night against the Spurs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mike Barrett and Mike Rice will have the call on KGW Channel 8. Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey hold down the radio side on 95.5 The Game and on all the stations of the Trail Blazers Radio Network.
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