Did Mason Know?
posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 9:15 PM
Desmond Mason just fouled Brandon Roy with the game way-out of reach. The Trail Blazers could've dribbled out the win, finishing with 98 points and no Chalupas. But Mason's foul gave Roy the opportunity to send fans home with some Chalupas and he sunk them both.
That's all she wrote folks -- Portland 100, Hornets 85.
And though New Orleans got themselves back in the game towards the end, you’ve got to assume that Nate McMillan is pleased about how his team responded to that run, dug in, kept their composure, and put together a few more solid minutes to seal the win.
All in all, another complete game from the Trail Blazers.
Trail Blazers Back Up by 13
posted: at 9:07 PM
That little New Orleans run made more than a few Rose Garden fans nervous, but before it got out of hand Portland answered. The Trail Blazers locked down on 'D' and steadily executed their offense.
Jarrett Jack just capped it all with a three that ought to put the game out of reach -- a dagger, you could call it.
Just over a minute remaining.
Turnovers Hurting the Trail Blazers
posted: at 9:03 PM
And just like that the Hornets have cut the once-blowout-esque deficit to only six.
Janero Pargo has turned up his game in these last few minutes -- it's as if he's channeling a little Chris Paul.
Hornets on Mini Run...
posted: at 9:00 PM
...And they've cut the Portland lead to 12.
Wisely, Nate McMillan called for time, then inserted Zach Randolph to give the Trail Blazers a little more scoring punch.
Just under seven minutes remain and it's Portland 85, New Orleans 73.
Love is in the Air
posted: at 8:46 PM
But this time I'm not talking about the fans or the Trail Blazers. Well, I guess I am talking about the fans.
Before the fourth-quarter a lucky fan got to play a contest to win a new appliance. The Rose Garden fans directed the blindfolded contestan to her prize. When she found it and removed her blindfold her boyfriend was waiting on bended-knee with a ring in his hand.
He proposed, and she accepted.
And the whole thing was so sweet, instead of taking home just the fridge, the Trail Blazers and Standard Appliance sent the glowing couple home with all three prizes.
Could this night get any better?
I suppose a few more high-flying dunks add some sugar on top.
Hornets Frustration Bubbling Over
posted: at 8:42 PM
Jarrett jack takes a HARD foul that is whistled flagrent. Two-shots and the ball give the Trail Blazers and excellent opportunity to widen this lead.
Jack hits both free throws, and on the ensuing possession Travis Outlaw is fouled, makes the circus-shot, and goes to the line for one.
If he hits it, the five-point trip gives the Trail Blazers a 20-point lead.
It's good!
80-60, Trail Blazers
The Livid Rose Garden
posted: at 8:40 PM
Fans tonight are in this game. The de-fense! cheers are deafening, despite the almost 20-point Trail Blazer lead -- everyon'e just loving this success.
75-60, Portland, with under a minute remaining in the third.
Udoka's Heady Play
posted: at 8:32 PM
Gets all the Rose Garden fans cheering!
Two -- yes, TWO -- offensive rebounds on one Trail Blazers possession, and when Ime's teammates had trouble finding the basket, he said 'alright, I'll just score it myself then,' and did.
And then... yikes...
Jarrett Jack serves Brandon Roy a perfect pass for an alley-oop on the break and the loud crowd gets even louder. 73-55, Portland. This one is in danger of becoming a blowout...
On Zach's Back...
posted: at 8:29 PM
...The Trail Blazers have built a 14-point lead.
Portland is up, 69-55 and I'm liking it. Liking it a lot.
Deja Vu -- The Good Kind
posted: at 8:26 PM
Zach has begun the third just as he did in the first -- On Fire.
The star power forward is leading all scorers and rebounders with 18 and 10.
Zach is Big. No, scratch that. Huge.
What a Win Takes
posted: at 8:07 PM
For the Trail Blazers to continue on to victory here tonight is simple -- more of the same. More sharing the ball, more tough defense (Portland currently has four blocks and five steals), and more spirited play will be the keys tonight.
And, of course, more of those three's like the one Brandon Roy just hit wouldn't hurt either.
The Closer
posted: at 8:03 PM
Not the TV show, but the Trail Blazers rookie, Brandon Roy.
With the first half-winding down Brandon drove through the lane, drew three defenders, and kicked out to Zach for a buzzer-beating jumper.
Perfect execution, and the Trail Blazers take an eight-point lead into the locker room.
54-46, Portland.
Back and Forth
posted: at 7:55 PM
A few Trail Blazer turnovers and a few more tough calls have allowed New Orleans to slip right back in this game.
Jarrett Jack though, after creating a turnover and scoring on the fast break, put Portland up six. And Brandon Roy's layup then made it eight.
It's a game of streaks at the moment, and it would be big if Portland could put together one in these last two minutes before the half. As well as they started, it would be a little scary to led the Hornets hit the locker room with a single digit deficit.
50-44, Trail Blazers.
Sergio the Magician
posted: at 7:51 PM
The way Sergio Rodriguez throws the no-look pass sometimes makes you think he could play the game with his eyes closed. It's a sort of instinctual gift the Trail Blazers rookie has got.
Five minutes left in the first-half, and Portland leads by 10. This pace is making 100+ points look inevitable.
A Jumping Contest
posted: at 7:47 PM
The Hornets foward Cedric Simmons can really jump. Not quite like Travis Outlaw, but close. Simmons has thrown down two big dunks, on which he's gotten almost eye-level with the rim.
But can he shoot? I suppose that is the question, because Travis just stuck an outside jumper.
Hornets Fighting Back
posted: at 7:43 PM
After the initial rumblings of a possible blowout, the Hornets have regained their composure, and are sticking around. New Orleans have fought back to close the lead to single digits.
Regarding Jamal and his former team: After grabbing a defensive rebound, Sergio set Jamal up for a big-ol' uncontested dunk in the lane. You know that's got to have the Trail Blazers center feeling good.
36-27, Portland.
Back on Track
posted: at 7:41 PM
After a few technical difficulties the GameTime Blog is back online -- we're hardwired now.
Here's the posts we missed:
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The Fabulous First
The Trail Blazers exploded out of the gates here tonight. After just six minutes Zach Randolph had already amassed eight points and five rebounds. Add to that an Ime Udoka three and some Joel Przybilla blocks and the Trail Blazers are ahead 14-5.
---
Magloire Vs. His Former Team
Center Jamal Magloire’s all-star year came as a New Orleans Hornet, and as is typically the case, players tend to bring a little extra when going up against their old team. Let’s hope Jamal does just that tonight.
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Travis Sky’s to Beat the Buzzer
A put-back dunk just milliseconds before the buzzer gives the Trail Blazers a 28-21 lead at the end of one. Thunderous, right on time, and simply amazing.
Hornets Without Chris Paul
posted: at 7:09 PM
Starting in place of the 2005-06 rookie of the year is Janero Pargo -- certainly tough shoes to fill. And though Paul's abscence certainly gives Portland a leg up, it's too bad he wont be on the court tonight to play against his college rival and friend Jarrett Jack.
Trail Blazers and Hornets About to Tip Off
posted: at 7:06 PM
Big one tonight -- no doubt about it.
The Trail Blazers surely are looking to regain some of that momentum they picked up during the five-game winning streak, and last night's loss to the Suns ought to add to that.
Won't be long now...
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