While no Trail Blazers fan would classify the regular season opener as a beautiful performance, the thing that matters most is the fact that the result was a victory. Despite committing 26 turnovers, the Trail Blazers (1-0) were able to hang on and begin the season with a 96-87 victory over the Rockets (0-1).
The game was a rematch of the first round of the 2008/2009 NBA playoffs, which saw the Rockets knock out Portland in six games. However, with an injured Yao Ming and the departure of Ron Artest, this was clearly not the same Rockets team.
With LaMarcus Aldridge battling foul trouble from the opening tip, Travis Outlaw came off the bench to score a game high 23 points. Outlaw was difficult to guard, able to use his size to go inside against the Rockets small forwards, while stretching the defense by shooting the ball efficiently from beyond the arc. Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan was particularly happy with how Outlaw was able to create from the power forward position.
“I wanted to get him in at that 4 position,” McMillan said after the game. “He had his shot going tonight. Defensively, I though he did some good things-working hard on the defensive end of the floor playing the 3 and the 4.We’ll be able to use him like that and I feel we’ll be able to score as long as we play defense.”
Also playing a big role off the bench for Portland was Andre Miller. Miller did an excellent job of pushing the tempo with the second unit, and also was able to find his teammates on both the fast break and in the half court offense. Although his shot was falling the way he would like, Miller made up for that with great effort and composure, which helped him dish out a team high seven assists.
“My shot wasn’t going in and I didn’t take too many shots,” Miller said of his performance. “Everybody has to do their part out there and we definitely need guys to make those hustle plays. I think I did that tonight.”
After a couple of defensive performances in the preseason that had McMillan questioning the intensity on that end of the floor, the Trail Blazers responded with a strong group effort. Portland was able to limit Houston to only 37% shooting for the game and despite a few lapses in the 4th quarter, showed a strong commitment towards a better defensive effort. As the season continues, McMillan would like to see that intensity and commitment continue to grow on the defensive end of the court.
“It’s still a work in progress with our guys, but that’s the commitment- defensively getting involved in the game on the defensive end of the floor, not the offensive end of the floor. We want to change that thought process this year and get into the game on the defensive end of the floor.”
For Houston, Aaron Brooks put together a strong performance, as he led the Rockets with 19 points and five assists. Trevor Ariza, who was making his debut with his new team, came out shooting great with nine points in the first quarter. However, Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw did an excellent job of contesting his shot the rest of the game, and Ariza ended up scoring only 12 points.
Portland returns to action on Thursday night when they host the Denver Nuggets. It should be an excellent match up, as these two teams split the Northwest Division crown last season. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 PST tip, and it will be shown to a national audience on TNT.
NATE MCMILLAN
“I saw some good stuff. We did a good job of running our offense and defensively trying to control this team. Other than the turnovers, we fouled early – they marched to the free throw line there in the first quarter but after that we made our adjustments. I thought we kept them off the line. 26 turnovers, you aren’t going to win. This will probably be the last game we win with 26 turnovers. We had control of the game and we lost the ball and turned it over and they were able to create some points off of that.
“(Defense) is still a work in progress with our guys but that’s the commitment – defensively getting involved in the game on the defensive end of the floor, not the offensive end of the floor. Some teams have a tendency and offensive players, they want to see that ball go in the basket before they get in the game. We want to change that thought process this year and get into the game on the defensive end of the floor. I thought our guys did that. Early we got into foul trouble, but I thought that second group came in, made some adjustments in that second quarter, didn’t turn the ball over, and was able to create some points off of misses. "
BRANDON ROY
“I thought we played hard, played aggressive. Sloppy – we had some turnovers there but we built the lead. The biggest thing was that we just didn’t put them away when we had a chance to. But again, it was the first game and we’re just happy to take this win even though it was sloppy. It’s one under our belt.”
GREG ODEN
“My shot wasn’t going in and I didn’t take too many shots, so hustle plays. Everybody has to do their part out there and we need definitely need guys to make those hustle plays. I think I did that tonight.”
• The Trail Blazers are now 29-11 all-time in home openers, including nine straight home opening wins, dating back to 2000 … Portland is 23-17 overall in season openers, including a 16-7 mark when opening at home.
• Portland opened the season at home for the first time since 2002 … Thursday’s game vs. Denver will mark the first time since 1995, Portland’s first year in the Rose Garden, that Portland contested its first two games at home.
• The only other time the Trail Blazers opened the season against the Rockets (1990), Portland won a franchise-record 11 straight games to begin the season and posted a franchise-best 63-19 record.
• Portland’s nine-point win marks its largest over Houston in the regular season since April 8, 2003 (81-66).
• Tonight marks Portland’s 72nd straight sellout, including playoff games.
• Portland’s 12 blocks are more than the Trail Blazers recorded in a game in 2008-09 … Portland held a 6-0 advantage in blocked shots in the first half … Greg Oden’s five blocks were one shy of a career high.
• Portland’s 26 turnovers tonight are more than the team had in any game last season.
• Travis Outlaw led all scorers with 23 points, tied with his second-best scoring effort from all of last season … He was the first man in the game to get to double figures in scoring, netting 12 points at the 10:20 mark of the second quarter … Outlaw led Portland in scoring six times last season (inc. ties).
• LaMarcus Aldridge scored Portland’s first seven points in the game.
• Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla each had 10 rebounds by the end of the third quarter, and Oden led all players with 12 rebounds in the game … Oden led Portland in rebounding 20 times a season ago (inc. ties).
• After ending the first quarter in a 23-23 tie, the Trail Blazers began the second quarter on an 11-0 run (8:41) and 23-7 run (5:48) to take a 46-30 lead, never relinquishing that lead in the game.
• The Trail Blazers held a 40-20 rebounding edge through three quarters.
• Houston outscored Portland in the paint, 40-24, on the night, including 14-2 in the fourth quarter.
• Aaron Brooks led Houston with 19 points, including a game-best 12 second-half points.
• Trevor Ariza led all scorers after one quarter with nine points (2-3 3-PT).
• The Rockets played without their three leading scorers from last season (Ron Artest, trade; Yao Ming, injury; Tracy McGrady, injury).
