No Answers in Sac
posted: 4/12/2008 at 9:15 AM
It was a frustrating night for the Trail Blazers, and it was clear when looking at Nate McMillan's face. He thought Tuesday's inspiring win over the Lakers would carry over to the game against the Kings in Sacramento. But, it was clear from the start of this game, there was little intensity on Portland's side, and the shorthanded Kings took full advantage of that.
One month ago, at Arco Arena, the Blazers turned the ball over five times before they hit their first field goal, and ended up trailing the entire contest. The players talked of remembering that as they prepared for Friday's game. Even though the turnovers weren't as big a story in this game, things went pretty much the same way. The Kings dominated, led just about throughout, and won the game 103-86, despite playing without Ron Artest.
The Blazers had to get hot from the field late in the game to get to 42 percent shooting for the game, and were just 2 for 16 from behind the three-point line. Their reliable three-point shooters, Steve Blake and James Jones, were a combined 0-15 from the field.
What killed the Blazers, once again, was another of the trademark draughts they often suffer. During the first quarter, Portland went through a 1-11 shooting slump, and the Kings went on a 12-2 run. In the third quarter the exact same thing happened. The Blazers went on a 1-8 draught, and the Kings took off on a 13-1 run.
Despite the cold first half, the Trail Blazers trailed by only 10 points at halftime. That was with Brandon Roy not attempting a single shot in the first two quarters. Roy got involved in the game in the second half, and scored 12 points, but the hill was too big to climb at that point.
On the positive side, it was another big-time effort from Channing Frye, who had 15 points and 14 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge was also solid, giving the team 24 points and 15 rebounds.
With the loss, the Blazers lost the season series to the Kings 3 games to 1. And, one strange trend continued. I don't know if it's just a bad matchup in situations like this or what- that's probably a cop out, but I don't know how else to explain it- the Blazers can't score against Sacramento or Seattle, two of the worst defensive teams in the NBA.
The Kings give up 105 points per game, and in the contest prior to last night's, gave up 140. The Sonics give up about 105 per game as well. In the 8 games against these two teams this season, the Blazers averaged 88 points per contest, only cracking 90 twice.
It's the second of a back to back tonight, as the Blazers host the Dallas Mavericks at the Rose Garden. The Mavs, thanks to Dirk Nowitzki's last-second shot on Thursday, have clinched a playoff birth now. This will be the fourth and final meeting of the season between these two, with the Mavs holding a 2-1 edge going in. They've beaten Portland 15 of the last 16 in the series. And, they play tough defense. Which means the Blazers have a good shot at scoring.
We'll have the game on Comcast Sportsnet, and our feed is being picked up nationally on NBA TV.
Talk to you later.
RSS FEED
The Blazers are becoming extremely hard to watch and root for when they continually lose to very very beatable teams. Cant wait for this disaster turnout of a season to be over with. Its hard to imagine winning 13 straight and 17 out of 18 and not making the playoffs. Beat the teams were supposed to lose to the teams were supposed to and we are in the playoffs period
Mike,
Is there is any way you could share with the team that tonight's game is very special for a 10 year old from Stayton? I bought my grandson tickets for himself and his dad as his Christmas present. With 7 kids in the family, he doesn't get much (not even cable TV) and he's been excitedly waiting to see this game for 4 months. Please tell Nate that there's another reason they should play hard tonight besides pride or a winning season. Is it possible they could give my grandson a chance to see a dunk; a few more drives to the basket instead of settling for jump shots? There may not be a silver lining for the team right now, but there still is for fans who may only get to see a single game in a whole year - this game. Thanks very much, Grandma Kathie
blazersballer,
I couldn't disagree more with you when you talk about this being a disaster of a season. This team has exceeded everyone's expectations. Thursday night on TNT Kenny Smith called the Blazers "the surprise and story of the season in the NBA." This is the third-youngest team in the history of the league. The first two teams on that list won a combined 31 games in those seasons. That fact that we're disappointed we missed the playoffs is a testament to how far this team has come. The 13-game winning streak raised expectations, but some people lost perspective in the process.
MB
I agree with your followup comment, MB. The last thing this season has been is a disaster. Imagine next season with Oden and probably Fernandez. And a tougher Aldridge? Then patch up our PG and perhaps SF slot, and you have a great team that expects to make the playoffs.
I also have an idea for next year's slogan for the team:
Ready. Set. GO. [picture of Greg Oden]
Here's looking to next season (and tonight's game with the Mavs, of course).
the thing I hate about losing to the sonics and kings is that our guys talk of having to get motivated and having nothing to play for... so, what do these other teams have that we don't? they have even less to hope for than we do except a chance to beat a team which is statistically better than them. lousy excuses for what has been a good team this year. lousy excuse for a team we have been proud of. face it. there is no excuse for us if there's none for the other team. see you at tonight's dallas game.
Thats clever cosmo.
lets hope the mavs make it past the first round this year. It must be fun to love a bunch of under achievers like the mavs.
"whats the key to beating the mavs??" said the idiot.
"playing with an ounce of heart."
said the wise owl.
"moooo!" said the cow
Agreed, this team is very exciting. And this is all without Oden. They are fun, seem like quality players, and with Seattle leaving, in the spotlight of the Pacific NW.
CosmoPlavix:
i appreciate your sarcasm. i love this team, but this team can be really soft. what is the impetus of this team coach mac has crafted? it's certainly not about tough-minded pesky defense and it's certainly not about a free flowing offense. what the hell fuels this team?
i can't believe this team is so polite, friendly and nice with a coach like mo lucas on the bench. clearly, maurice lucas isn't doing his job of inspiring some intensity, toughness and scrapiness in this young blazers squad. przybilla is the only one that consistently brings intensity when he is playing.
cheers,
tony t
Hey Mike get off this is the youngest team in the league crap there old enough to beat the best teams but they can't do it standing around.
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