Portland fans sent home with Chalupa...
posted: Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 8:21 PM
Although the game itself did not go as planned, Portland fans were treated to a free Chalupa courtesy of Sergio Rodriguez's assist to Jamaal Magloire.
Portland finished the game with 101 points, but trailed at the buzzer to the Suns' 119.
Sergio Rodriguez finished with 9 points and 10 assists, and had a really good chance to earn his first double-double on the Trail Blazers' final possession. However, since Sergio is such an unselfish player, he dished to Jarrett Jack for the final shot.
Travis Outlaw led all Trail Blazers with 22 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds, and he really filled in exceptionally well for Lamarcus Aldridge, who left the game early in the second half with a bloody lip.
Jarrett Jack also played his way out of Steve Nash's shadow, scoring 13 points and dealing 5 assists of his own.
To be honest, it was the play of Raja Bell that made all the difference in the game. Bell finished the game with 30 points, almost all of which came from downtown. The Suns are a tough team to beat, but they are especially good when Raja Bell goes 7 for 14 from range.
Jack checks back in to run with Sergio...
posted: at 8:11 PM
Introducing a lineup that has rarely been used all season, Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez are now in the game together. Sergio is still handling point guard duties, but Jack could really benefit from this small lineup. Having Jarrett Jack in at the shooting guard gives Portland a second leader on the floor who can find open players and break down defenses...
With 2:35 left in the game, Portland is riding the big-time effort of Travis Outlaw. Travis has scored 22 points off the bench, blocked a shot and contributed 3 assists. Rodriguez also has a chance to earn his first double-double of the season. He has 9 points and 9 assists so far...
Chalupa time???
posted: at 8:05 PM
Sergio Rodriguez flashed some of his brilliance on a breakaway one-on-one layup. The rookie guard out of Spain crossed-over one Suns defender and then spun by a second for good measure on his way to a difficult two point layup.
Sergio has 9 points including 4 of 5 from the field and also has 6 assists.
Portland fans are hoping Sergio can contribute to at least 12 more Trail Blazer points in the next 6:16. If they do break 100 points, that will be the second consecutive home game that Trail Blazer fans have been treated to a complimentary Chalupa courtesy of Taco Bell.
Heading into fourth, Trail Blazers need to find momentum...
posted: at 7:53 PM
It's easy to get frustrated in a game where the opposing team shoots 40% from three-point land, Phoenix is 8 for 20, and gets double digit scoring out of each of their 5 starters, Marion has the fewest points with 13. It's also not everyday that Raja Bell shoots 6 for 10 from downtown, which he has so far tonight...
But Portland needs to grow with each quarter. Starting the fourth quarter with a lot of energy and closing the gap on the Phoenix Suns, would be a huge boost going into a tough game against Indiana.
With 10:11 left to play, Sergio, Juan and Martell have all hit big shots to cut the Phoenix lead to 15 points. This Trail Blazers lineup is playing with a lot of heart and is creating open looks by moving without the basketball, something the Trail Blazers failed to do earlier in the game.
Outlaw denies Stoudemire, Trail Blazers rallying...
posted: at 7:43 PM
In one of the biggest highlights of the night, Amare Stoudemire received a tough entry pass from outside and then went up for a weakside layup only to be met by the fully extended arm of Travis Outlaw. Outlaw adds Amare Stoudemire to a growing list of NBA players who've been victimized by one of his brutal rejections...
On the other end, Juan Dixon cashed in on the turnover with a 25 foot jumper to cut into the Phoenix lead.
After a Phoenix timeout, Sergio Rodriguez and Jamaal Magloire have checked in for the Trail Blazers.
Portland fan nails trivia question...
posted: at 7:35 PM
During an early Trail Blazer timeout, one Portland fan was asked "What did Dan Dickau major in at Gonzaga?" The fan did not initially know the answer and required help from the Rose Garden audience. Apparently, Portland fans are split on whether Dickau graduated with an Accounting degree or a degree in Broadcasting...
The correct answer is that Dickau graduated with a degree in Broadcasting.
As action resumes, Portland really needs to find an answer to the hot shooting Phoenix Suns. Whether they are shooting contested layups or three-pointers, everything seems to be falling for Steve Nash and Co.
Trail Blazers are down with 4:48 left in the third, 79 - 62.
Aldridge back in!!!
posted: at 7:29 PM
After suffering a brutal blow in the first half and a cut that would require stitches, the rookie forward has returned to start the second half for the Portland Trail Blazers...
His high-spirited return, however, was short-lived, because he was almost immediately replaced by Travis Outlaw. Team Doctors are trying to get Aldridge's mouth to stop bleeding and once they do so, Aldridge should return to provide the Trail Blazers with a much needed boost off the bench...
Trail Blazers head to half down 12...
posted: at 7:18 PM
If you blinked, you might've missed it but the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers have run full speed into halftime...
Portland has been led by Travis Outlaw's effort off the bench and the steady play of Jarrett Jack. Jack has been the one constant in the ever-changing Trail Blazer lineup and has rewarded Portland fans with 11 points and 4 assists. Zach Randolph has 8 points and 5 rebounds, but his touches have been limited by consistent triple-teams from the Suns defense.
On the other end, Phoenix has been inspired by the play of Amare Stoudemire, who heads into half with 16 points. Raja Bell has also played well, turning in 14 points, including 4 of 6 from three-point land.
It's going to take a team effort for Portland to rally back from a 59 - 47 halftime deficit, but stranger things have happened, especially with this Portland sqaud. The Rose Garden might be the stage for yet another dramatic Portland comeback...
Jarrett Jack with sweet no-look pass...
posted: at 7:09 PM
Determined not to go quietly, Jarrett Jack has put the Trail Blazers on his back late in the second quarter. On consecutive possessions, the second year guard found Udoka on a no-look back door pass, and then hit an off-balanced floater from 5 feet away.
Portland needs Jack to stay energetic and help keep his teammates in the flow of the game. Coach Nate's squad will most likely be without Lamarcus Aldridge for the remainder of the game, because the rookie caught an elbow with his mouth and cut open his lip. The cut will require stitches to close...
Fortunately for Portland, Travis Outlaw has been putting in a solid game at a versatile forward position. Outlaw has 12 points going into halftime and should fill out Aldridge's minutes for the remainder of the game, barring a dramatic return by Lamarcus Aldridge...
Trail Blazers still battling in second quarter...
posted: at 7:07 PM
With 5:33 left in the second quarter, Coach Nate decided to take a timeout to redirect his young lineup. The timeout featured the return of the Toyota Tundra half-court shot, which has been a thrilling mini-game all season long for Portland fans...
This time- the shot went up and came down a little too quickly, landing just beyond the free-throw line. The miss drops Portland's shooting percentage to 33% on the season when shooting for a Toyota Tundra...
The Trail Blazers are battling back, but still find themselves down 38 - 47...
Sergio checks in...
posted: at 6:48 PM
It was only a matter of time until the rookie point guard from Spain found his way into this track meet of a basketball game. Sergio is well suited to play in such a game, because he runs the floor well and plays off the natural energy of the game...
Sergio is an exciting player who has emerged in the absence of Brandon Roy. Roy, who is still nursing an injured left heel, is scheduled to return to practice and should return to the starting lineup soon. Joel Pryzbilla, the other Trail Blazer starter sidelined with an injury, has recently underwent surgery for an abdominal hematoma and will be cleared to practice as soon as the stitches from the surgery are removed on Monday.
Pryzbilla's absence, although a big loss for the Trail Blazers has really opened the door for the Trail Blazers future star Lamarcus Aldridge, who returned from injury himself to start at the center position for Portland. Aldridge is a little different style of player than Pryzbilla but even in his limited exposure this season, he has shown how bright the Trail Blazers future is...
Small lineup working overtime for Trail Blazers...
posted: at 6:39 PM
It's hard to keep up with all of the action early in this contest, because the game is being played at such a break-neck pace. Coach Nate went to a very small lineup- one of the few times this year that Jarrett Jack has led Juan Dixon, Stephen Graham, Travis Outlaw and Zach Randolph down the court...
At the end of the first quarter, Zach Randolph leads all Trail Blazers with 8 points, but Travis Outlaw has also been solid on the offensive end. The forward hit two big jumpers to end the quarter and finished with 5 points.
The Trail Blazers have done an excellent job of matching the Suns' energy so far, but they've really been hurt by the Suns hot shooting. As a team, Phoenix shot 75% from the floor in the first quarter.
Free dinner for everyone in the Rose Garden!
posted: at 6:34 PM
Quickly becoming one of the most popular traditions of Portland home games, the Blazer Dancers handed out free Pizza Hut pizza to a lucky section in the 300 level.
The fans who didn't receive pizza still have a very good chance to earn a free dinner just by attending tonight's game. The Trail Blazers are off to a fast start and if they break 100 points, like they did in the most recent home game against New Jersey, fans will receive a free Chalupa courtesy of Taco Bell.
With 2:52 left in the first quarter, the Trail Blazers are down 5, 26 - 21.
Udoka going to work...
posted: at 6:28 PM
One of the guys who really epitomizes the new Trail Blazers team is Ime Udoka. Even though the Trail Blazers rarely run offensive sets through the small forward, he still gets his points through hard work and a relentless pursuit of every rebound.
Tonight Udoka has two big offensive rebounds and 5 quick points to show for his efforts.
Heading into the first timeout with 5:29 left in the first quarter, the Trail Blazers trail 18 - 21...
Randolph and Amare trade possessions...
posted: at 6:23 PM
Even though it's early, the fans can already tell that its going to be a heavy-weight bout down in the paint. In consecutive possessions Amare Stoudemire took the ball right at Randolph who altered an ugly, off-balanced shot...
On the ensuing possession, Randolph showed Amare exactly what the Trail Blazer opponents have been dealing with all year. Zach sealed off the left block and put up a beautiful left-handed baby hook shot.
Trail Blazers still down early 11 - 14.
National Anthem done and game set for tip-off...
posted: at 6:19 PM
After a beautiful rendition of the national anthem by Trail Blazer Dancer Ione. the game is set to get underway. Tip-off went to Phoenix and Raja Bell immediately started the scoring with a three-pointer from the corner...
Jack and the Trail Blazers responded quickly with a textbook give-and-go on the other end. Jack is not being defended by Steve Nash, which is somewhat of a surprise. So far, Marion has defended the second year point guard out of Georgia Tech...
Trail Blazers down early 8 - 5...
Suns - Trail Blazers set to do battle....
posted: at 6:07 PM
Coach Nate's pre-game comments are exactly right. If Portland wants to beat this exciting Phoenix Suns team in the Rose Garden, they have to play their style of basketball and stop the Suns' fastbreak, up-tempo offense...
The Suns come into tonight's match-up on a three-game winning streak, winning their last game against the New Jersey Nets in Phoenix. The Suns are led by former MVP Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire who has the tough task tonight of defending Zach Randolph.
If Portland can slow down the Phoenix offense and move the ball to help create open shots on the offensive end, the fans at the Rose Garden have a great chance to leave the game with a big victory. Look for big games from Zach Randolph, Jarrett Jack and Travis Outlaw who all have enormous match-ups on both ends of the floor.
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