Blazers win and wave goodbye to the Rose Garden
posted: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Sorry for the abrupt disruption in blogging. The wireless connection in the Rose Garden went the way of the dodo tonight. I hope you found one of the many other live blogs of tonight's game if you were relying on my updates. Again, my apologies.
After a shaky start, the home side turned it on and ended up pulling away in a 113-91 victory in front of a sellout crowd. Seven Blazers scored in double figures, which I believe is a first this season. My main man James Jones caught fire from beyond the arc, going 6-for-7 with the one miss being a desperation attempt at the shot clock buzzer that he wouldn't have otherwise taken.
LaMarcus Aldridge fouled out, Sergio Rodriguez threw two consecutive alley-oops to Travis Outlaw, Josh McRoberts and Von Wafer got some playing time, and the Rose Garden crowd gave standing ovations to anyone who left the game in the last three minutes. Not a bad way to end the home schedule.
So that's that. It's been a heck of a good time watching this team come together. They'll travel to Phoenix tonight to finish off the season against the Suns tomorrow. Nate McMillan's squad is guaranteed no worse than a .500 record this season, which I think just about anyone would have taken at the start of the campaign. After the last few seasons, it's nice to actually surpass expectations.
Let's do it again next season.
Raef save the day (or at least the play)
posted: at 7:38 PM
Brandon Roy gets fouled in the act of shooting, and he'll get two free throws. Hits the first, clanks the second, but Raef is there to get the putback for the unconventional three point play. That's LaFrentz style.
The quarter ends with James Jones hitting a three from the baseline. That was needed in the worst way. That's buckets J-Hoops.
End of the first quarter. Grizz still lead 27-24.
And that's another dunk for Gay
posted: at 7:33 PM
Rudy Gay gets behind the defense, corrals an outlet pass and throws it down with two hands with his back to the basket. This game, this is not my kind of game.
Grizzlies 22, Blazers 18. Memphis has 4 offensive boards and 6 second-chance points. The Blazers have 6 fouls to 1 for the Grizz. Where's the home cooking?
L.A. fading away
posted: at 7:25 PM
Blazers struggling a bit here in the first quarter. Not too many easy shots (in fact, no easy shots). LaMarcus Aldridge, keeping up with the difficult shot theme, hits a turning away from the basket fadeaway for two.
L.A. does get an easy bucket on a fastbreak dunk. Rudy Gay had a two handed jam the play before that.
And keeping up with the many fouls theme, LaMarcus picks up his second with 4:30 to go in the first quarter. That brings Raef LaFrentz off the bench. He picks up his first foul after being in the game for about 30 seconds.
With 3:30 to play in the first quarter, it's Grizz 18, Blazers 14.
Frye's fast start stopped by fouls
posted: at 7:18 PM
Channing Frye has all of the Blazers four points, but he's also picked up two of the team's three fouls. That's going to send Channing to the bench for the remainder of the first quarter and probably most of the first half. Travis Outlaw takes Channing's place, shifting LaMarcus to the center.
The Grizz are drawing fouls just about every offensive possession. The Blazers' bench is relatively light with Joel Przybilla and Martell Webster unavailable. Translation: Von Wafer and Josh McRoberts might get a little run in the last home game of the season.
With lucky 7:11 to play in the first quarter, it's Grizzlies 9, Blazers 6.
Welcome to Fan Appreciation Night
posted: at 7:13 PM
This is it. Home game No. 41 out of 41. The Grizzlies are in town, which means a steady dose of Rudy Gay. He's good.
Juan Carlos Navarro, countryman and sometimes teammate of Sergio Rodriguez, gets on the board first with a runner in the key. The Grizz start a small back court consisting of Navarro and Mike Conley Jr. Rudy Gay is a hybrid sg/sf, so that helps.
Blazers have missed their first three shots. One from Blake, one from Jack and one from Aldridge. Navarro still has the only bucket with 10 minutes left to play in the quarter.
Game OVER
posted: Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9:22 PM
The Trail Blazers have defeated the Mavericks 108-105 in a hard fought game. The Trail Blazers are now 40-40 on the season.
Brandon Roy scored 23 points. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22. Jarrett Jack had 19 points and 10 assists, while Channing Frye added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Up by three!
posted: at 9:16 PM
With 28.5 seconds remaining, Travis Outlaw hit a baseline jumper to give the Trail Blazers a 106-103 lead!
Up by three!
posted: at 9:16 PM
With 28.5 seconds remaining, Travis Outlaw hit a baseline jumper to give the Trail Blazers a 106-103 lead!
B-Roy to LA!
posted: at 9:14 PM
Brandon drove baseline and found LaMarcus for the layup AND the foul... LA made the free throw and the Trail Blazers lead 104-101 with 49.4 seconds to play.
One minute left, tie game...
posted: at 9:13 PM
Dirk Nowitzki has the last two baskets and has tied the game at 101-101. There are 58 seconds remaining - can the Trail Blazers pull this one out???
Two-point game...
posted: at 9:11 PM
The Mavs have scored four straight and the Trail Blazers now lead 101-99 with just over a minute to play...
Crunch time...
posted: at 9:04 PM
With 2:56 remaining, the Trail Blazers lead 101-95. Let's see if the Blazers can clinch a 40 win season!
Coming down to the wire
posted: at 8:58 PM
The Trail Blazers lead 99-93 with 4:12 remaining. This game will be coming down to the final moments.
Brandon Roy has 23 points. Channing Frye has 15 points and nine rebounds. Jarrett Jack has 17 points and nine assists.
Dirk Nowitzki leads the Mavs with 20 points. Tyronn Lue has come on strong with nine second half points.
Blazers extending their lead
posted: at 8:51 PM
The Trail Blazers now lead 95-84 after two Jarrett Jack free throws. With just over seven minutes left, the Trail Blazers will need to stay composed in crunch time to keep their lead.
Big-shot Brandon
posted: at 8:45 PM
B-Roy just buried a three to give the Trail Blazers a 91-82 lead. Roy now has 21 points to lead all scorers.
Trail Blazers starters on fire
posted: at 8:37 PM
At the end of the third quarter the Trail Blazers lead the Mavericks 87-80. All five Portland starters have over 13 points.
Channing Frye, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack have combined for 78 points on 35-of-53 shooting.
Blazers get a cushion
posted: at 8:32 PM
After the Mavericks pulled within three, the Trail Blazers scored four straight point and now lead 77-70. Jarrett Jack, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge each have 15 points. Steve Blake has 14.
Mavs coming back
posted: at 8:32 PM
The Mavericks have cut the Trail Blazers lead from 14 to six in the first few minutes of the third quarter. The score is now 72-66 with 7:09 remaining in the third.
End of the half
posted: at 8:01 PM
It's the end of the first half and the Trail Blazers are leading the Mavericks 64-50. The Trail Blazers are shooting an impressive 64% from the field and have turned the ball over just 3 times. The Mavericks have been held to just 42% shooting.
Brandon Roy has 15 points and four assists. LaMarcus Aldridge has 13 points and four rebounds. Jarrett Jack has nine points and six assists. Steve Blake has 10 points and six assists. Channing Frye, in foul trouble since the first quarter, has eight points and four rebounds.
The Mavericks are led by 11 points from Dirk Nowitzki.
Let's see if the Trail Blazers can maintain their play in the second half and get one step closer to a winning season.
B-Roy jammin'
posted: at 7:59 PM
Brandon Roy has 13 points and the Trail Blazers lead 58-43 with 1:27 remaining in the first half. Roy's dunk got the Rose Garden crowd on its feet and the Trail Blazers will try to maintain this pace through halftime.
Blazers keeping pace
posted: at 7:48 PM
The Trail Blazers aren't slowing down. Portland leads 54-41 with 2:35 remaining in the first half after a Travis Outlaw three-pointer.
B-Roy down the lane
posted: at 7:43 PM
Brandon got Juwan Howard guarding him after a switch and took advantage of Howard's 31 year old knees. Roy shook him with a crossover and hesitation and cruised in for a layup.
Blazers still up 10
posted: at 7:34 PM
The second quarter has been slow, but the Trail Blazers have maintained their lead and are currently up 39-29.
Trail Blazers still rolling after one
posted: at 7:27 PM
The Trail Blazers are dominating the Mavericks and lead 37-21 after the first quarter.
The Trail Blazers have made 4-of-4 from three-point range and have 14 assists on 16 made shots.
LaMarcus Aldridge leasd the Trail Blazers with 11 points. Channing Frye has eight points, Brandon Roy has seven, Steve Blake has six, and Jarrett Jack has five.
LA gets nasty
posted: at 7:25 PM
LaMarcus just skied over the Mavericks for a thunderous slam. He was fouled and hit hit free throw, giving the Trail Blazers a 28-16 lead.
Blazers on fire!
posted: at 7:22 PM
Steve Blake hit a three and the Trail Blazers now lead 25-14!
Little men, big shots
posted: at 7:19 PM
Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake each hit a three and the Trail Blazers now lead 20-14 with 5:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Channing for the lead
posted: at 7:13 PM
The Trail Blazers are rolling and have taken at 14-10 lead behind eight points from Channing Frye. The Mavs have taken a timeout to regroup and break the momentum of the Trail Blazers.
Good start for B-Roy
posted: at 7:09 PM
Brandon came out and hit his first shot, so look for him to score in bunches tonight.
Starting lineups
posted: at 6:57 PM
For the visiting Mavericks: Eddie Jones (SF), Dirk Nowitzki (PF), Erick Dampier (C), Jason Terry (SG), Jason Kidd (PG).
For the Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy (SF), LaMarcus Aldridge (PF), Channing Frye (C), Jarrett Jack (SG), Steve Blake (PG).
It's game-time here on the Trail Blazers Game-Time Blog, so don't go away!
Mavs in town to take on Trail Blazers
posted: at 6:40 PM
It's Saturday night and the Dallas Mavericks are in Portland to face your Portland Trail Blazers.
The Mavericks are trying to get hot for the playoffs while the Trail Blazers need to win two of their final three games to clinch a .500 record for the season.
The Trail Blazers are struggling with injuries as the season winds down, and will be without Martell Webster and Joel Przybilla.
Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and the rest of the Trail Blazers will need to contend with Dallas' MVP Dirk Nowitzki and All-Stars Josh Howard and Jason Kidd.
Ten minutes to game time... get ready!
The streak is over, long live the streak
posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 9:36 PM
If only we could play the Lakers for every home game. Whatever it is, we've got the juice when it comes to taking down the L.A. in the Rose Garden.
Final score: Blazers 112, Lakers 103. Channing Frye, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and just about everyone who got meaningful minutes played great in this one. The Blazers are back to .500.
Trust in Roy
posted: at 9:31 PM
Kobe gets a seemingly uncontested layup. You can tell know one wanted to give the refs a reason to send Bryant to the line.
Roy gets it back with a driving two and a foul. That's a bigtime take. Brandon giving Kobe a bit of his own medicine.
Lakers throw up a brick, but Gasol gets the rebound. He goes back up with it, and it looks like LaMarcus gets a clean block, but it's called a foul. That's free throws. makes both.
Blazers break the halfcourt trap, and the Lakers, for some strange reason, don't foul right away. Precious seconds run off the clock before Kobe fouls Jarrett, sending him to the line. Jack makes both. With 20 seconds to go, it's Blazers 109, Lakers 103. It's looking good, but it ain't over.
Trouble on the inbounds
posted: at 9:27 PM
The Blazers use two timeouts, and they still manage to turnover the inbounds play. The Lakers are going to apply pressure for the rest of the game. The Blazers need to be ready.
Blazers get nothing on the offensive end. Vujacic gets a good look at a three, and it's off, but Frye pushes Gasol in the back on the rebound, and he'll shoot free throws. Misses the first, makes the second. 102-96 Blazers. It's getting scary.
Blake misses a three, and the Lakers rebound. Vlad takes another three, which is probably unnecessary, and he misses. Blazers get the board, and Outlaw gets the layup.
Vlad doesn't miss twice when he's that open. Three is good. 104-99 Blazers.
Don't look now, but ...
posted: at 9:21 PM
Kobe finds Vlad in the corner for three, and that brings the Lakers to within 9. Blake has to take a tough shot at the shot clock buzzer, and it's no good.
Farmar for three to cut the lead even farther, but it's off the rim. That would have been bad news.
Blazers call timeout with 2:54 left to go. Some people have started to file out, which is madness. You made it this long, just stick it out for the next 10 minutes.
'Beat L.A. Beat L.A.'
posted: at 9:15 PM
Kobe draws just about every Trail Blazer on the court, and though I'm sure he thought twice about it, he passes to a wide-open Lamar Oden for the jam.
Roy gets the two back, getting the bounce on a runner while being fouled by Kobe. Brandon misses the free throw, which is bad, but they are shooting 82 percent from the charity stripe on the night.
Another great play. Channing almost loses the handle at the top of the key, but he manages to get the grip, find a wide open Blake in the corner for three, and it's good.
Kobe looks to go one-one-one against Travis Outlaw, but T-O picks his pocket. That's so sweet.
Farmar gets in the lane, and floats a pass to Gasol for the two. That's a smart move.
Brandon Roy's jumper at for two is smarter though, or at least just as smart. He's got 20 points, 12 assists and two rebounds. He's officially back.
Blazers 102, Lakers 89 with 4 minutes to play. The pressure must continue.
You can't stop Channing, you can only hope to contain him
posted: at 9:09 PM
Kobe is in one-on-one mode. Don't expect him to pass much for the remainder of the game. He takes a off-balance shot and looked to the refs to bail him out. They don't, this time.
Next possession, Kobe gets and And1. He's got 32 on the night. He might end the game with 80 the way he's playing.
Channing for a deep two, count it. That's 22 for Channing tonight. No way you can't like that guy.
Oden is manning the red ball machine tonight. That's hard work.
With 7 minutes to play, it's Blazers 95, Lakers 85. A 10 point lead isn't close to large enough with Kobe on the floor.
Turnovers and tough calls
posted: at 9:01 PM
Both teams start the quarter with turnovers, which is the ninth turnover for both squads. How about that.
LaMarcus is left open just inside the three-point line. You know he's got range, and he proves it with the first bucket of the quarter. Aldridge has 19 points to go along with 14 rebounds. That's a great line, especially with Joel out.
Kobe, as he often does, draws a foul on the drive. That's free throws.
Outlaw gets called for an offensive foul against Kobe. That's a soft call to say the least. Only superstars get pampered like that.
Roy checks in to guard Kobe. KB24 pump fakes, gets Roy in the air, and jumps into him for free throws. Roy should know better than that. He uses the same move all the time.
Blazers 91, Lakers 80 with 9 minutes to play.
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