Blazers Beat Dallas for #40
posted: 4/12/2008 at 10:48 PM
What a difference 24 hours makes. One night after the Trail Blazers couldn't find their offense, and were stagnant on defense in a disheartening loss in Sacramento, they totally turned things around, shooting a scorching 59 percent, and beat the Dallas Mavericks at the the Rose Garden 108-105. The Portland offense was crisp and efficient, recording 31 assists and just 9 turnovers.
The Mavericks, who still had outside hopes of moving up in the Western Conference playoff race, have been known for their defense this season, and have been holding oppnents to just 44 percent shooting, and 96 points. But, the Blazers shot over 70 percent in the first quarter, were still over 60 percent at halftime, and ended at 59.
Dallas shot out of the gate, and grabbed a quick 5-point lead. But, the Blazers, who brought inspired effort from the opening tip, would quickly grab the lead, and never lost it again, leading by as many as 16 points in the process. The Mavericks, as expected, kept battling, and eventually tied the game at 101. But, on the very next play, with under a minute left in the game, Brandon Roy drove the left side of the lane, drew a triple team, and found LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored and was fouled, and completed a three-point play. The Mavs got to within one on their next possession, and then a clutch bucket by Travis Outlaw, and two presssure free throws by Jarrett Jack sealed the win.
Roy ended the game with 23 points and 6 assists, and Aldridge added 22. Channing Frye posted his third-consecutive double-double, with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Jarrett Jack also went for 19 points and 10 assists, while turning the ball over only once. Steve Blake, who was 0 for 9 at Sacramento, rebounded with a 16 points and 6 assists, and hit his only two three-point attempts.
There was a thought early that Dallas would perhaps give Dirk Nowitzki some rest in this game, and try and get the win without him playing heavy minutes. That went out the window, as the reigning MVP played over 40 minutes, and scored 28 points. During the Mavs comeback in the second half, their entire bench was on its feet, trying to will the team to the win. They would leave disappointed, as the Blazers squared the season series 2-2.
The Blazers improved to 40-40 on the season, and with a win over Memphis at home on Tuesday, can guarantee no worse than a .500 season, something that just about no one predicted before the season after Greg Oden went down with season-ending knee surgery.
With the win, the Blazers also improved to 23-6 when scoring over 100, to 18-2 when they shoot over 50 percent from the field, and improved to 12-8 in the second game of back-to-back situations. That's a very good mark given the fact that this is the youngest team in the NBA. The Blazers are also now 12-4 on the season in games decided by 4 points or fewer. The Mavericks, on the other hand, fell to 5-11 in games decided by 4 points or less.
The Rose Garden was completely sold out for the 31st time this season, and the 26th straight time, and it was certainly a playoff atmosphere. The home fans provided the lift the team needed, playing on the second of a back to back.
"This win belongs to the fans," GM Kevin Pritchard told me after the game. "This was an incredible atmosphere, once again. Our young guys feed off the energy provided by our fans. What an amazing learning experience for our crew."
After the game, Blazers head coach Nate McMillan joined Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey on the radio post-game show. To listen to his comments on the win,
click here.The Trail Blazers have just two games left. They host Memphis Tuesday at the Rose Garden, and then Wednesday face another back to back, as they take on the Suns in Phoenix.
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Tonights game was amazing. I was there, so unfortunatly i didnt get to listen to the mikes, but it was great. First the Lakers, now the Mavs, the Blazers are really stepping it up for the top teams. Do you agree?
I also got to meet James Jones after the game and was ecstatic at the response he gave when i asked the probability that he was going to be back next year. "I will be back" he said.
Hey MB
Great game! I have to get this off my chest. It's about JJ. I do think his game is better when he starts. Give me your take!
Mike; I have been on vacation and haven't been able to watch or hear games. I got last night game on the radio, what an inspiring win. I am on a motel guest computer so no time for big comments. Just thanks for the updates, that is really important when you have no tv or radio.
It seems that Sacramento has our number much as we have LAL number at the Rose Garden. I heard Antonio say that Martell was out for the last two games. I think that might be wise, but we sure could have used him to sucure at least one more win.
I predicted earlier that we would win 41, I still have lots of confident and hope.
I will miss the next game so keep the updates coming. THANKS MIKE!!
hg
Jack won't be back next year. Blake is too good of a backup point guard to lose, and there's no way we're letting Sergio go with Rudy coming in next year. Portland will keep Sergio for at least another season to help Rudy adjust to NBA life and the U.S. in general. I'm excited to see that quite a few pg's are entering the draft this year (Rose, Bayless, Gordon) and will not be surprised at all to see us drop Jack, Frye and a late draft pick to move into position for one of these guys. In all fairness Nate gave Jack more than every opportunity to earn a permanent spot on our future championship team. Jack didn't do enough to stay, and a great third to last game of the season will not make up for all the turnovers and bonehead plays throughout the year. GO PORTLAND!
Oh the barometer that is our beloved Blazers. Such inspired play last night. As they showed earlier in the season, when they play a consistent game, the team is unstoppable. Why don't we see defense like that every night? The traps were so effective. These guys can really get into the heads of many great NBA teams. In all my years in Oregon, I never thought I would be looking forward to November so much. I STILL BELIEVE!
Posts that bash people on OUR team after they've been playing very well these past games just make me sick. I mean wow, I can understand bandwagoners bash when a guy plays poorly, but not when he's freakin improving. It's douches like that ruin blazer fans reputation. It's like some idiots don't WANT to see improvement.
Mike I need some help on this....and maybe it has already been mentioned....but I CAN'T stand to hear Mike Rice call Steve Blake, Blakeee one more time. I'm now yelling at my TV everytime he says it. Last night I changed everyone's name. Mikeee Riceee, Aldridgeee, Royeee, Fryeee, Jackeee. Love you guys, though...always call a great game!
Regarding the negative opinions of JJ and Frye's NBA future, I am reminded of how close Chauncey Billups was to being out of the league before Detroit picked him up. Joe Dumars became a very smart GM soon after. Sometimes there are very few experts that can see what is possible, and so many experts that see "can't miss" on a future wash out. Let's TRUST Kevin Pritchard and let's WAIT and see
MB, you mentioned again how well this team is playing for how young they are. Im not sure that how much longer we can blame losses to 17 and 20 win teams to our age. THere is so much talent on this team that we can compete with the Lakers and the MAvericks but why can we not beat the sonics and the kings. As i mentioned in one of your previous blogs this is a playoff team if we beat the teams we are better than. You cant tell me that with zilla, LA, roy , and outlaw that we are not better than the kings w/ no artest, the sonics, washington w/ no arenas. I would be interested in seeing our record vs worst record teams and our record vs better record teams.
Awesome win! Beating the Mavs a night after such an embarrassing loss to the Kings shows our youth. We have the talent to beat anybody. I'm really curious how the next two games will play out. Anything is possible with this team.
Go Blazers!
Just wanted to add that it was also a good weekend for Rudy Fernandez. Today he won the 2008 ULEB cup with his team Joventut Badalona here over in Europe. He also became the MVP of the finals game in an impressive 25 point win. Time to bring him over to Portland.
hey dreamcloud, if you think Jack will be with the team next year you're dreaming. People want to know why we lost the game against Sactown? It's because our PG's couldn't put it together. Get a true pg to compliment Roy and I trust Blake will make an amazing backup. Jack hurt our team alot this year. I love his passion and commitment to the team but he just doesn't have what it takes even 40 games out of the year. I'm happy that he posted great statistics because it just boosts his trade value even more. Pritch has some big time plans this off-season. We will be moving up in the draft order via trade and WILL be drafting a pg, mark my words.
Channing Frye is the real deal, in the tradition of Robert Horry and Maurice Lucas, himself. He's quick-footed, has a shot, is not afraid to go for interior rebounds, and plays with consistent intensity. There will be times next year when either Channing or Joel will be the best matchup, and we need them both. It would be a mistake to move him.
@Lou Jag, thanks for showing how clueless you haters are. Yeah, we lost the game because of Jack...gimme a break. He only shot 66% from the field, and delivered 7 assists on a night where everyone couldn't hit for crap. We lost because BLAKE was 0-9 as well as other people. This is unbelievable how you just blame that on Jack, when he was one of the few playing GOOD. Thank goodness you're not the GM, you don't even seem to watch the games.
Don't get me wrong, but I'm somewhat glad Joel got his injury, only because Frye gets his chance to show off his skill. All 3 games since Joel's injury Frye has managed to get a double-double and score when then Blazers need it. I really hope to see him next year, he's a great backup player and can shoot the ball very well from nearly anywhere on the court.
What I would love to see more is what happened when the score was tied at 101 and we took the lead back, and that is Brandon driving to the hoop and finding an open LA or anyone else or even scoring a basket. Roy is smart and knows how to drive in and draw the foul. Or if all that fails, find an open Steve Blake or James Jones while trying to drive in for that 3 pointer.
And to all those that bash JJ for turning the ball over, Barrett made a good point while talking about Steve Nash a few weeks back, "A man who never turned the ball over has done nothing" Jack has made his mistakes, but he's a valuable asset to the team. I'd hate to see him go as well.
Dream cloud,
I love the blazers very, VERY mutch. I am 23 years old and have whatched as many games as possible since 1991. including Every game this season. Just because the blazers won, and jarret jack had a good game does not mean he is our point gaurd of the future.
I have alot of respect for him as a person and I hate to dog him. but the truth is that he lacks consistancy. He just plays EXTREMELY bad most games. Then he has a game where he goes 20-10.
There is nothing wrong with analyzing our teams weakness, even in the midst of a huge victory.
Don't we have a lotto pick this year lets see what we get befor we start talking about trades. most of this talk is alittle premature if you ask me. IF we do have a lotto we could get a high draft pick.
ONE person is never the reason a TEAM losses. so stop putting one blazer in the hot seat when the team is responsible. we have lots of good seasons ahead. go blazers
Hey MB,
What are the realistic chances of Rudy playing for us next year. I know both Kevin and Paul are actively pursuing him. I've watched videos of this kid and he looks amazing...definitely NBA ready. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
George
rtrindt and I agree on this one. Everytime I hear, "Blakie" I cringe. I understand that he goes by "Stevie", but "Blakie" is just about the most horrible nickname in NBA history.
why the hell are some of you freaking out about blake's nickname? gimme a break. maybe he's been called that since he was a kid or since college, even the tnt announcers call him that. it's not a big deal. daniel gibson's nickname is boobie, for cryin out loud. i don't think rice made it up.
i agree with millertime about all this trade talk. let's just sit back and wait for kp to work his magic.
that game was so fun! i love being there and then being able to come home and watch it again on comcast. can't wait till next year, go blazers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi,
Rudy will come if KP and Nate get convinced and convince the player that he'll have minutes. And he should have no trouble in getting 20 minutes per game.
And it would be pretty unfair to keep Sergio another season just to help Rudy to adjust to NBA and US, without a perspective of playing.
That's something that we should ask Sergio, but i don't think he'd like to stay just to be Rudy's secretary...
Sorry, I'm a lil late, but I would still luv to say that it was an awesome game! Luv the energy at the Rose Garden each time I go there. My boyfriend and I drove to Seattle in the morning to attend a Talk by the Dalai Lama at the Qwest Arena, and then got outta Seattle by 4 pm back to Portland, and still managed to make it right on time for the Intro. So, that was pretty cool.
It was also cool that Oden, Przybilla and Martell were there to support the team. Thats what I love about the BLazers; Their genuine love for each other.
I was sitting a few rows behind Oden and Martell- and during the game they turned around-So I waved at them, and they were so cute; all freidnly and full of smiles and Oden threw up a peace sign. I noticed they were friendly towards everyone passing by. Thats so cool to see!
Oh, and randomly- I noticed how the Wild one seems to sulk whenever the Blazers lose so, I even thought about bringing a Banner that reads "We have a win-SMILE WILD ONE!
P.S. MB this is so hilarious, but LA looks like this Indian/Bollywood actor; Abishek Bachan. You should ask him to look him up.
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