Trail Blazers Prevail
posted: Friday, January 12, 2007 at 9:20 PM
For the second time in a row, Portland has knocked off Sacramento. The win puts an end to a three-game losing streak, while dealing the Kings their fourth in a row.
Tonight's win was a total team effort, and showed what the Trail Blazers are capable of when all cylinders are firing. The team played great defense, shared the ball, and forced Sacramento into 21 turnovers.
Zach Randolph led all scorers with 23, while Juan Dixon put in one of his best performances in recent memory, adding 21.
All in all, a great way to start this freezing cold weekend -- with a hot Trail Blazers win.
Aldridge Fouls Out
posted: at 9:19 PM
For the first time in his short career, and gets a nice hand from the Rose Garden crowd. Coach McMillan has got to be pleased with the young man's aggressiveness.
Another Offensive Rebound...
posted: at 9:18 PM
Grabbed by LaMarcus, who will shoot two and that should just about do it.
:45 seconds and counting... 95-84, Portland.
Still Lots of Time
posted: at 9:10 PM
2:00 left, and Sacramento has taken their defensive pressure up about five notches, including some tough full-court pressure.
But the Trail Blazers seem equally committed. And offensive rebound by Zach Randolph turns into two Brandon Roy free throws and a 12 point lead. On the other end Artest misses BOTH free throws.
94-82, Portland.
Artest Pushing Through Dickau
posted: at 9:06 PM
And yet Dan is whilstled for the foul. The Ref's say his feet were moving, but when you're Dan Dickau, and Ron Artest is pushing you, there's no other option but to go but where he takes you.
Portland is in the penalty, and the Kings will be shooting free throws the rest of the way.
But if this hot shooting keeps up, as evidenced by ANOTHER Juan Dixon three, Portland has little to worry about.
The Trail Blazers can't quite begin to count their chickens yet -- they have a ten point lead and 3:30 left to play -- but the things look pretty good.
Wait, Make it 13!
posted: at 9:00 PM
Juan Dixon's three will do that for ya.
It's refreshing to see the Trail Blazers finding their way from deep after a matchup with Dallas yielded not a single one.
Trail Blazers up 10!
posted: at 8:59 PM
Just over seven minutes remain.
Ime's Tricks!
posted: at 8:53 PM
Ime forced his second backcourt steal, this time on Ron Artest -- tonight has been a classic Ime night. All kinds of production ranging from steals, to offensive rebounds, to layups. You name it, he's done it.
The turnover turned into two Juan Dixon foul shots, and he hit them both.
74-69, Portland.
Trail Blazers and the Fourth
posted: at 8:50 PM
The Trail Blazers begin the fourth up 68-64, and if they're going to pull this one out they must stay focused.
Sacramento has a number of explosive scorers in Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, and even Corliss Williamson. Portland must get into a defensive stance and frustrate these players for 12 more minutes to grab the win.
Portland Sharing
posted: at 8:44 PM
The Trail Blazer ball movement is looking excellent here in the third. Everyone is sharing, and in turn, everyone is scoring. Portland has gotten in to trouble when they don't trust each other and try to win by themselves, but when they're playing like a team, as they are now, they can beat just about anyone.
Dickau for Three
posted: at 8:35 PM
And then another one!
Dickau's quick six have given Portland a 59-55 lead. Seems like the former Gonzaga star has shaken off his early jitters and Sacramento is forced to take a time out.
Autographs
posted: at 8:33 PM
During a timeout the Trail Blazers answered who's autograph they'd most like to have. Jarrett Jack got some applause with Bill Cliton, Juan Dixon got a few laughs with Halley Berry, but it was Ime who got Rose Garden fans cheering with his pick of Portland great, Clyde Drexler.
Makes sense really -- growing up in Portland, Ime was front and center for all those Rip City season's from Drexler and company.
Kings Hit Back-to-back Three's
posted: at 8:31 PM
And Sacramento has reclaimed the lead, 55-51.
Przybilla Active
posted: at 8:27 PM
A dunk, a rebound and a trip to the foul line already for Joel. Oh, and an offensive foul. But still, you've got to like Joel going hard to the basket, even if it does result in the occasional turnover -- that means he's keeping offense in mind.
Brandon Roy, who's scored the last two Trail Blazer buckets including the team's first three, is heating up.
If the first-half was about defense, you could say this one is about offense.
51-47 Portland.
Roy at the Buzzer!
posted: at 8:08 PM
After review, Brandon's layup is ruled good! Trail Blazers enter the locker room up, 42-40. Gotta like that.
And I'll tell you, I like the looks of this half-time entertainment. Some thirty-odd Vancouver school kids have set up a massive drumline on center court. All kinds of drums, cymbals and the like.
Good stuff indeed.
Dickau is Hit, and Hits!
posted: at 8:03 PM
Never foul a jump shooter the saying goes. And even though Dan Dickau was knoccked to the floor, he made the shot. And with that last Brandon Roy layup, the Trail Blazers have tied it up at 40.
What was that about closing quarters?
With 4.4 seconds left, Portland will get the final shot.
After the dismal opening period in which the Trail Blazers scored only 11 , Nate McMillan has got to be pleased with how his team has bounced back.
Closing Out the Half
posted: at 7:57 PM
As so many have said, closing quarters stong is of the utmost importance, and right now, that couldn't be more true for Portland.
The Trail Blazers are within five, and if they can cut the deficit, or even take the lead by halftime, they'd be in great shape to beat the Kings.
With 2:31 remaining, and the score 37-32 Kings, we're looking at a pretty low scoring game, which certainly benefits the Trail Blazers.
After creating a steal in the backcourt, Ime Udoka got a little slice of instant karma as he cut to the rim, recieved the pass and scored the easy layup.
Portland Racing Back
posted: at 7:45 PM
A combination of tough 'D' (Portland has forced Sacramento into nine turnovers) and better offensive execution (cutting down their own turnovers), the Trail Blazers have cut a double digit deficit to only five -- plus they've got the ball.
If Portland gets a score after this timeout, consider the storm weathered.
29-24, Kings, with 8:27 to go in the first half.
Kevin Martin's Maturation
posted: at 7:40 PM
Kevin Martin continues to look less and less like a young player, every day moving closer to all-stardom. He is extremly calm and confident handling the ball, pulling up, and slicing through opposing defenses.
This kid is really going to be something. He's already got seven, two and two and we're not even two mintues into the second-quarter.
But let it not be forgotten the Trail Blazers have their own young star in the making. LaMarcus Aldridge, who just hit his first shot, continues to impress. He's improving so quickly it's almost frightening to think of where the first-year player will be at the end of this year.
After One
posted: at 7:34 PM
At the end of the first, turnovers are the story for Portland, which is no surprise as the Trail Blazers are without starting point guard Jarrett Jack.
Most of those seven turnovers, which the Kings have scored nine points off, came in the opening minutes. It would not be shocking to believe that early jitters are to blame, the cause of which being an unfamiliar starting point guard.
Somewhat strange to see that Brandon Roy hasn't taken over much of the ball handling load, but this is a 48-minute game, and late, Roy may well be in that position.
24-16, Sacramento.
Sergio Getting Early Minutes
posted: at 7:30 PM
And so far the Spanish rookie is looking good. He's hitting shots and pushing the ball -- two things the Trail Blazers need.
In Jarrett's absence Rodriguez, along with Dan Dickau, figures to see much more playing time than usual, and each will no doubt be looking to show Coach McMillan they deserve to be more involved.
Martell Strong to the Hoop
posted: at 7:26 PM
What looked like it should've been an and-one opportunity was called an offensive foul. The Rose Garden crowd is livid, as is Coach McMillan, who jumped off the bench in exhasperation.
The two ref's had a conference, but the call stood.
Too bad for Martell, who could've used the opportunity to get off to a quick start. But something tells me he won't let it get him too down.
Kings off to a quick start -- 22-11, Sacramento.
But let us not forget that the Trail Blazers overtime victory over the Kings last week was a come-from-behind effort in which Portland trailed much of the game.
Dickau Starts in Place of Jack
posted: at 7:22 PM
Jarrett Jack was involved in a minor car accident Friday morning near the Trail Blazers practice facility. Don't worry fans -- nothing too major, but Jack did sustain a concussion.
So in his place Dan Dickau gets his first start of the season as the Kings try and pay the Trail Blazers back for last weeks overtime win in Sacramento.
Get Ready for Sacramento Tonight
posted: at 6:12 PM
The Kings come into the Rose Garden tonight at 7:00pm. The blog will be rolling around 6:45 so check back for all the activities live here at the Rose Garden. Don't forget to leave comments through out the game.
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DanHarbison said...
Greetings from Manila, Philippines. I am a big fan of the Blazers. Been following them when I was still a teen. I am a die hard Blazers fan. Although, they are still in rebuilding process, investing much on the young players like Roy, Dixon, Jarret Jack, and Aldridge, not to mention, Darius Miles. With this win, I hope they put up a streak of their own. Next up will be against the Nuggets.
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