Wade shooting 2...
posted: Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 8:22 PM
It's be great if he could miss at least one...
But he sinks the first. 7.9 seconds once the Trail Blazers get the ball.
Hits both...
Roy takes the ball the length of the court, leans in... And his three is off.
Miami leaves Portland with a win, and the Trail Blazer fans can't help but feel a little robbed. Wade finished with 33 points, and Brandon Roy led all Trail Blazers with 18.
The difference in the game was the number of fouls called on the Trail Blazers. Portland finished with 26 fouls compared to the Heat who were only called 13 times. Some of this can be attributed to Wade's aggressive play, but neither Zach Randolph nor Brandon Roy could garner enough respect to draw a foul.
It would've been a great cap on a huge weekend for Pacific Northwest sports fans, but the Trail Blazers couldn't hold off the late Heat rally, falling 93 - 90.
Trail Blazers have a chance to rebound Tuesday against the Spurs in San Antonio.
Roy gets tripped!
posted: at 8:20 PM
But gets the call...
18.8 left.... Roy fumbles the ball, recovers it, finds Jack... Jack to Udoka for two!
It's 91 - 90 Miami with 8.6 seconds left.
Foul on Jack...
posted: at 8:18 PM
D-Wade to the line for 2 free-throws...
Makes the first... Two point Heat lead.
Makes the second...
No time-outs remaining for either team, and Portland has 22.8 seconds. It's 91 - 88 Miami.
ALDRIDGE FOR 2!
posted: at 8:16 PM
It's the biggest shot of the young forward's career and it couldn't have come at a better time...
Jarrett Jack found Aldridge wide open on the baseline and he knocked down the 12 footer for two HUGE Trail Blazer points.
It's 89 - 88 Heat with only 23.4 left.
Foul on Aldridge...
posted: at 8:10 PM
Zach Randolph converted on a jumper on a play where Brandon Roy was fouled at least 4 times.
On the insuing possession, the refs gave D-Wade the benefit of the doubt after the shooting guard tripped over his own feet.
Aldridge drew the foul.
If Brandon Roy wasn't a rookie, he would see a lot more love from the referees...
The Trail Blazers are down, but they have the ball with 33.2 left in regulation. As it stands, it's 89 - 86 Heat lead.
ZeBo makes it a 2 point game...
posted: at 8:08 PM
After converting one of two from the free-throw line, it's now a two point Trail Blazer lead...
Until Kapono hits another three! The Rose Garden can't believe it...
That's two three's in the quarter for Kapono and a one-point Miami Heat lead.
2 point game...
posted: at 8:03 PM
The Trail Blazers continue to lead the NBA in heart attacks caused, and it looks like tonight won't be any different for Portland fans.
After leading by as many as 12, the Trail Blazer lead has been cut to just 2 points.
Kapono's three gave Miami their first lead of the game, but Zach Randolph responded with 2 points of his own.
It's a one-point game here in the Rose Garden!
ALDRIDGE...
posted: at 7:57 PM
Aldridge with authority!
The shot clock was winding down and Roy missed a tough running jumper, but Aldridge had his back and dunked the rebound for two big Trail Blazer points.
Udoka, arguably the NBA's hustle player of the year, followed the play by stealing the inbounds pass and then tipping in an offensive rebound.
If the six point lead wasn't enough to get the Trail Blazer fans on their feet, the Portland cheer squad got them standing by shooting a round of free tee-shirts into the stands...
It's the Trail Blazers lead 81 - 75 with just over 6 minutes to play.
4 point lead...
posted: at 7:52 PM
Just like that, the Heat have cut the Trail Blazer lead to 4 points.
Dwayne Wade still has yet to score in the second half.
Sergio checks in...
posted: at 7:45 PM
Sergio Rodriguez and Jason Williams are really putting on a show for the Rose Garden crowd.
Both point guards are electric with the ball in their hands and have excellent court vision, which usually means that if a player on the floor isn't paying attention, he's going to catch a ball off the face...
Heading into the fourth quarter, Portland has an 8 point lead and at 77 points, they're still on pace for free Chalupas!
Jack, Aldridge, Dixon, Magloire and Webster...
posted: at 7:39 PM
Brandon Roy has taken a seat after getting hit with his 4th foul of the game. Prior to sitting, Coach Nate McMillan had began trying Jarrett Jack at the 2 guard and Brandon Roy at the point.
Roy's fourth foul was a questionable call at best. Haslem looked very late on his help defense, but he still drew the charge and caused a turnover.
Portland still leads, but the Heat are rallying. It's a 73 - 67 ball game.
J-Jack for Three!
posted: at 7:34 PM
That's number 7 on the night!
Lamarcus Aldridge has also checked back in for the Trail Blazers, and it's good to see that the rookie forward/center is getting a lot of love from this home crowd.
Don't forget to get your tickets to Lamarcus Aldridge bobblehead night, which is coming up soon.
Portland hitting Heat with effective double-team...
posted: at 7:27 PM
Early in the second half, Portland has made an enormous effort to take Dwayne Wade out of the game. It's almost impossible to shut him down completely, but the Trail Blazers have double-teamed the shooting guard every time he has touched the ball in the second half.
It's helped Portland extend their lead to 14 points, and kept D-Wade from scoring so far.
ZeBo breaks the ice...
posted: at 7:24 PM
Jarrett Jack found Zach Randolph to start scoring in the second half...
Brandon Roy then followed with two points of his own.
It's a 12 point Trail Blazer lead...
Half-time at the Rose Garden
posted: at 7:06 PM
The Rose Garden fans are on their feet as the Trail Blazers head to the locker room, and they have all the reason in the world to stay up for the rest of the game...
First of all, the NBA's only roller-skating break dance team, Team BreakSk8, has travelled all the way from Indianapolis to entertain the Portland crowd. It's hard to break dance without rollerskates on, but these kids are absolutely crazy!
Also, the Trail Blazers took an 8 point lead into the locker room at half-time. Brandon Roy has 16 points and 3 assists, while Martell Webster and Lamarcus Aldridge have put in 10 points apiece. Jamaal Magloire has also played well off the bench, leading all Trail Blazers with 5 rebounds.
As a team, Portland has out-rebounded the Heat, 20 - 14, and also distributed the ball more effectively. The Trail Blazers have 18 assists compared to the Heat's 8.
It's no secret, however, that the Heat are still in this game because of D-Wade. Wade went into half-time with 25 points, but most of those points have come from the free-throw line. Wade went 11 of 13 from the charity stripe, but has had a hard time finding a field goal attempt without two or three Trail Blazers in his face.
If the Trail Blazers can maintain their high energy play, the Rose Garden crowd may be celebrating more than a Portland victory- they may be celebrating free Chalupas! 60 points down and 40 to go...
One minute left in the second...
posted: at 6:59 PM
The jam-packed Rose Garden crowd didn't have to wait long for a formal introduction to D-Wade. #3 has pulled out nearly every trick in his arsenal on his way to 25 first half points.
Portland's lead has been cut to 6 late in the second quarter.
Beyond Wade, though, no one on the Heat roster has been able to get going offensively, and it takes more than one player to beat the Trail Blazers.
McDonalds race around the court...
posted: at 6:53 PM
3 young Trail Blazer fans got a chance to race tricycles around the court for the opportunity to win free Happy Meals for a year.
Portland fans had to figure that the participant in the Brandon Roy jersey would come from behind late in the race to win the grand prize. It was a close one, but it's hard to bet against a Roy jersey in crunch time...
Speaking of Roy, the shooting guard absolutely embarrassed to Heat defenders, one of them being Dwayne Wade. After a "which way did he go" head fake, the rookie changed directions and knocked down a wide open lay-up.
Roy's got 16 with 4:05 left in the 2nd quarter.
Webster for threeeee!
posted: at 6:47 PM
Martell Webster connected on another three, giving him 10 points on the night.
Jarrett Jack has also returned for the Trail Blazers and he is currently matched up with D-Wade.
Portland is not even slightly intimidated by the presence of Dwayne Wade and they've made an effort to let him know by showing him the floor everytime he drives to the basket.
Wade has 18 points so far, but none of them have been easy, which really shows how intense the Trail Blazer defense has played.
Match-up problems for Heat...
posted: at 6:41 PM
Not only have the Heat struggled to find an answer for shooting guard Brandon Roy but Sergio "Spanish Chocolate" Rodriguez has also been a huge problem for the Miami Heat.
Gary Payton's 38 year old legs just didn't have enough juice to stay with the lightning quick rookie, and Miami was forced to bring Dwayne Wade back in the game so that the Heat defense had someone fast enough to stay with Sergio.
Sergio's speed should wear on Wade and his extended minutes could cause even more problems for the Heat late in the game.
Aldridge for two!
posted: at 6:39 PM
After a Juan Dixon three-pointer, that's 5 on the night, Lamarcus Aldridge found the bottom of the net from the baseline for his first two-points of the night.
It's a Portland lead 35 - 23 with 9:56 left in the second quarter.
Sergio checks in to give R.O.Y. a breather...
posted: at 6:33 PM
As tough as it is to see Brandon Roy take a seat, it's always exciting to see Sergio Rodriguez.
Sergio tore up the Heat defense on his first possession and found Martell Webster for a wideopen 3. That's 4 three-pointers for the Trail Blazers at the end of the first quarter, and a 30 - 22 lead.
Portland also has 4 2nd chance points, compared to 0 for the Miami Heat.
During the break, one lucky Trail Blazer fan got a chance to steal the Standard TV or appliance of their choice, and in order to do so, had to listen to the cheers of this rocking Rose Garden crowd. The lucky fan won a brand new refrigerator just for playing.
Roy leads all Trail Blazers with 12 points and Dwayne Wade has put in 13 for the Miami Heat.
Aldridge and Magloire check in...
posted: at 6:24 PM
Aldridge is ready to bring his hustle to the floor and he'll get a chance to do so early...
Aldridge checked in for Udoka, and Magloire subbed for Pryzbilla.
The Heat have also broken up the R.O.Y. - Wade heavyweight fight by switching up the match-up on the defensive end. Dwayne Wade is now matched up with Portland's small forward- Udoka first and now Martell Webster.
Roy has taken advantage of everyone that has guarded him. He has 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
During the timeout, Portland fans got another chance at the Shoot for a Toyota Tundra contest. Tonight's contestant was a fan from Cornelius who decided to launch his shot from about 15 feet behind the halfcourt line. As expected, his shot was short...
Trail Blazers are hustling tongiht!
posted: at 6:21 PM
Against the reigning NBA Champs, you have to put them away early and one of the best ways to do that is to simply out-hustle them...
Early on, the Trail Blazers have connected on 5 assists, grabbed 4 rebounds- including two on the offensive end, and hit 3 three-pointers to get things started.
R.O.Y. and Wade get things going early...
posted: at 6:12 PM
Fans have to be excited about the match-up between Brandon R.O.Y. and Dwayne Wade...
Early on, Wade converted on an unbelievable reverse lay-in that drew some "Ooohs" and "Aaaahs" from the Rose Garden crowd, but it's been all Roy on the other end. Portland has made a concerted effort to get their shooting guard going early, and he's connected on two mid-range jumpers that gave the Trail Blazers 4 quick points.
ZeBo has also attacked the basket early. He also has 4 points.
The Rose Garden crowd has shown no love for Shaq's protege so far, and they even stood up to boo him as he shot two free-throws.
Roy has connected on 2 three-pointers to give him 10 points on the night early in the first quarter. It would definitely be huge for the shooting guard's image if he took advantage of Wade's defense and turned in about 30+ points.
Trail Blazers look to extinguish Heat...
posted: at 5:58 PM
It's only fitting that the Trail Blazers would play the reigning NBA Champions the day after one of the biggest nights in recent memory for Pacific Northwest sports...
The Trail Blazers knocked off the Sacramento Kings in over-time...
The Washington State Cougars, a surprisingly dangerous team climbing the ranks of college hoops, defeated #7 Arizona...
The Ducks pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year by ending UCLA's unbeaten streak at 14 games...
And then there was a football game. The Seattle Seahawks, Portland's surrogate NFL franchise, played the Dallas Cowboys down to the wire and then hung on to advance out of the first round of the NFL playoffs...
It was without a doubt an exciting night to be a Pacific Northwest sports fan, and tonight should be no different as the Trail Blazers look extend Miami's 5 game slide. Lineups are being introduced and the game is set to get underway.
Miami will be without Shaq, Antoine Walker, and James Posey, who are all inactive for tonight's contest. Walker and Posey failed to meet team conditioning requirements, and Shaquille O'Neal- Portland's Public Enemy #1- has been sidelined due to injury.
As long as Dwayne Wade is on the floor, however, the Heat remain one of the NBA's toughest teams. Wade should get some help from point guard and former Northwest native Gary Payton, who will back up Jason Williams, and center Alonzo Mourning, who continues to patrol the paint in Shaq's absence.
No surprises for the Trail Blazers starting lineup. It's Jack, R.O.Y., Ime, ZeBo, and The Thrilla to begin the first quarter. Dan Dickau is also ready to come off the bench for the Trail Blazers. Dickau was activated after Travis Outlaw went down with an ankle injury.
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My son attended his first NBA game and we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves if the first half... 60 points! We even dared dream of chalupas.
Though the third quarter saw the Blazer sputter a little, they still maintained an eight point lead going into the fourth quarter. All of Zebo's points in the first half were from outside. He passed quickly out of the double team but as the game went on the Blazers looked disoriented. I only saw a couple of times when a re-entry pass was made back to Zac. Maybe it was the back-to-back with travel, but in the end the Blazers couldn't get a good look at the basket. And yes, the officials swallowed their whistles a couple of times when the home team was clearly fouled. BUT - the Blazers lived by the outside shot in the first half and died by it the second. None of the Heat players were in foul trouble until Mourning got his fifth midway thru the 4th quarter. By then the Heat had established themselves as the more aggressive team and thus were the beneficiary of close calls.
Dwayne Wade, man is he good! And to think he is coming off an injury. Look out East!
I have just about had it with the crummy officiating which occurs all too often at the Rose Garden. The Miami game was another example of three guys in serious need of an eye exam. C'mon, refs, if you can't be competent, at least try to be fair.
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