Indy Pulls Away for the 'W'
posted: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 9:29 PM
Everything about the first three quarters tonight against Indiana looked like Rose Garden fans that braved the icy weather were in for a barn burner.
But a pair of back-to-back three's by the Indiana Pacers blew the lead open in the middle of the fourth, and try as they might, Portland couldn't knock down the shots they needed to get back in the game and Indiana prevailed, 105-97.
The Trail Blazers got a number of great individual performances, but couldn't put it together as a team. Indiana victimized the Trail Blazer 'D' with crisp ball movement, while handing out 28 assists to Portland's 13. That was probably the difference right there -- on offense, Portland's players were trying to take the team on their back, while Indy shouldered the burden together.
Zach Randolph had game highs of 30 points, 11 rebounds. Jarrett Jack had 21 to go with six assists.
Indiana had five players with 15 points or more. One of those five, Jermaine O'Neal, returned from a sprained ankle in the third-quarter to finish with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The Trail Blazers homestand continues Friday against Orlando.
It Was CLEAN!
posted: at 9:22 PM
Travis Outlaw's rejection of Danny Granger was so emphatic that referee's couldn't believe their eyes, whistling Travis for the foul to the objection of Rose Garden fans. And once the replay proved it, fans were irate... well, nobody's perfect I suppose.
Pacers Nail Two Big Three's
posted: at 9:14 PM
And just like that, Portland is down nine with three-and-a-half minutes left. Getting hot when it counts makes all the differnce, and if the Trail Blazers have another late-game comeback in them, there's no time like the present.
96-86, Pacers.
Lose One, Win One
posted: at 9:04 PM
After turning over the ball on a 24-second violation, Zach Randolph got one back for Portland. Zach saved a ball headed out of bounds, threw it off Danny Granger's body, then brilliantly blocked out Granger as the ball dribbled out of bounds.
A big alley-oop from Sarunas Jasikevicius to Maceo Baston queited the crowd, and convinced Nate McMillan to take a time out. But Blaze, clever as he is, lit them up again by launching a few T-shirts. Good thinking buddy.
Portland trails by six, with just over six-minutes left in regulation. I make note of regulation, because this game could very well end up in overtime.
Third Time's a Charm
posted: at 8:59 PM
After missing two jump-hooks and grabbing the subsequent offensive boards, Travis Outlaw did was he should have done the first time and jammed the ball in to the delight of the Rose Garden faithful.
Jermaine O'Neal is back in, and the Trail Blazers are behind by two.
O'Neal Out With a Sprained Ankle
posted: at 8:51 PM
Jermaine, the current leading-scorer for Indiana, with 17 is out, and his return is questionable.
LaMarcus Aldridge just got his first two points, and now every Trail Blazer who's seen action tonight is on the scoreboard.
Portland and Indy are tied at the end of the third, 75-75.
Martell Struggles
posted: at 8:45 PM
The last few games have been tough on Martell Webster, who just got his first two points from the line. Webster's shot has been off, and one can tell that he's been putting a lot of pressure on himself to break out of the slump. Martell's intense desire to turn it around has increased that pressure. But a shooter -- especially one with as pure a stroke as Webster -- has just got to keep shooting. Things ought to turn around soon for the second-year guard, and when they do, opposing teams better watch out.
Another Great Move from Ime
posted: at 8:36 PM
On Jarret Jack's missed free throw, Ime snuck in, grabbed the board, and quickly putting it back for two -- just the kind of plays Portland needs to heat up the Rose Garden crowd on a frostbitten November evening.
As the Trail Blazers put together a little run of their own, they are right back in it, and down only three. Z-Bo is one rebound away from a double-double. For Portland to win tonight, Zach is probably going to with the power forward battle with O'Neal.
Jarrett Jack's gotten agressive, putting his head down and getting into the lane on successive plays.
Portland's knocking at the door, 63-64.
Pacers Shift Gears
posted: at 8:32 PM
Indiana's offensive execution has picked up, and the crisp passes, often into the hands of Jermaine O'Neal have given the Pacers an 11-point lead.
At the Half
posted: at 8:08 PM
Two last second free throws from gave Indiana a five point cushion at the half, but this is still anyone's game.
Zach Randolph is leading all scorers and rebounders with 14 and 7.
Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Granger, and Al Harrington (who's sporting a mohawk tonight) are in double figures for Indiana.
Trail Blazers 46, Indiana 51
Ime from Deep, Again
posted: at 8:00 PM
I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- Ime Udoka can shoot!
The new Trail Blazer, who has emerged as the team's most consistent threat from deep, is already two-for-two from downtown tonight.
Hard to believe that any questions about Ime's NBA worthiness could be lingering...
O'Neal and Randolph Banging on the Block
posted: at 7:40 PM
The two team-leading power forwards are starting to get a little rough with while fighting for position down low. Both Zach and Jermaine are the high-point men on their respective teams, and at the momemnt, Zach is winning the matchup with 12 points and five rebounds to Jermaine's 10 and three.
Travis Outlaw's block on O'Neal just got the Rose Garden fans on their feet! Denied!
Trail Blazers Take Lead
posted: at 7:24 PM
A mini-run, capped by a Zach Randolph floater past the outstreched arm of Jermaine O'Neal gave Portland their first lead of the game, 19-18.
In a game that's looking pretty scrappy, there's already been three jump balls. But you've got to like the Trail Blazers in a ginding-it-out game at the Rose Garden.
LaMarcus is in at power forward, along with Jamal Magloire at center. Juan Dixon grabbed a steal, but missed the buzzer-beater, And at the end of the first-quarter Portland leads, 24-21.
A Slow Start...
posted: at 7:07 PM
Players on both teams are running in low gear at the moment, except for Jermaine O'Neal, who has six of Indiana's 10 Pacer points.
The Trail Blazers, calling an early timeout, have yet to score from the field, but are three of three from the line.
But that's all changed now. Joel Przybill just grabbed an offensive board and put it back for two. And that's the kind of inside presence Portland has been missing.
Przybilla's Back...
posted: at 6:56 PM
...and to the fans spilling into the Rose Garden tonight, that's got to be a sight for sore eyes.
Joel has missed the last 13 games for Portland, and in his absence, the Trail Blazers interior defense has been without their anchor. With Przybilla in the lineup, Trail Blazers opponents have averaged 37.5 points per game in the paint. Without him, those numbers have went way up, especially in the last few games.
So here's to wishing Joel a great return game, and Portland getting a win tonight against Jermaine O'Neal and the Indiana Pacers.
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