Too Much Clippers
posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 9:19 PM
The Trail Blazers fell in a hole early, and despite a rousing effort in the third and fourth quarters, couldn't hold on against L.A. They fell, #####.
Five Trail Blazers finished in doubled figures, led by Brandon Roy's 23. Joining him are Martell Webster (10), Jamaal Magloire (13), Travis Outlaw (13), and Raef LaFrentz (15, season high).
But the Clippers were just too hot early. Cuttino Mobley led all scorers with 25, followed by Elton Brand's 21.
The Trail Blazers were without Zach Randolph, who recently had surgery on his non-shooting right hand, and Ime Udoka, who is sitting after suffering his second concussion of the season.
Luke Schenscher
posted: at 9:15 PM
Getting his first minutes in Portland. The 7'-1" teammate of Jarrett Jack at Georgia Tech saw a few minutes at New York, but this is his introduction to the Rose Garden crowd.
And on his first trip down Luke drops a sweeping hook over the outstretched arms of the Clipper defense. Good stuff.
Unfortunately, this one seems pretty much out of reach.
1:45 to play and the Clippers are up 16.
Roy Scores and is Fouled
posted: at 9:10 PM
Headed to the line for the "and-one."
Count it.
Roy leads the Trail Blazers with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. Quite a game for the young man.
But on the other end, Cuttino Mobley answers.
Clippers 95, Trail Blazers 79 and time is becoming Portland's worst enemy. 3:30 remaining.
Oh So Pretty
posted: at 9:05 PM
Martell winds up and nails a contested three from the corner!
Clipper lead still at 13, but this Trail Blazer team wont give up!
Still plentyy of time left.
5:32. Clippers 89, Trail Blazers 76.
Make it 13
posted: at 9:01 PM
Travis Outlaw hits a baseline jumper to keep that lead coming down.
But on the other end Tim Thomas hits a timely three.
Back on the Trail Blazers side, Travis Outlaw is not done attacking. He is fouled in the lane and heads to the line for two.
He hits one of two. Clipper lead back to 13.
L.A.'s Lead Down to 15
posted: at 8:56 PM
Portland is doing it with defense. They are pestering the Clippers by pressuring the ball and filling the passing lanes.
And this crowd is standing up for their team! Good stuff!
Portland force a shot clock violation! This could cut it to 13 or 12!
You've got to believe!
Roy Through the Lane
posted: at 8:48 PM
Beautiful, acrobatic layup puts brings the deficit down to 19.
OOOH!
Travis with a steal, in the open court, fouled... the shot rolls out. Still, he's headed to the line for two.
Nothing but net.
Second.......................... just the same.
Cut that lead to 17.
And hand it to this crowd, who're still quite involved! They've kept faith in their team, who just got another stop!
But Roy misses in the lane... 83-66, Clips.
Martell for THREE!
posted: at 8:44 PM
That's right. And just after a pretty little floater in the lane. Perhaps it's Webster whose hot hands can put the Trail Blazers back in this game.
Clippers, sensing some Blazer momentum, call timeout with 1:37 left in the third.
83-62, Los Angeles.
Three Free Throws
posted: at 8:36 PM
For Dan Dickau, and he nailed them all.
Maybe that will help the former Gonzaga guard get hot. A couple more three's (or three point plays) could get Portland back in this one...
L.A. 83, Portland 56.
Trail Blazers Still Hustling
posted: at 8:31 PM
Travis Outlaw nearly converts a circus shot on the fast break, but will go to the line for two.
Hits the first.... and the second.
Trail Blazers 51, Clippers 75.
Crowd chanting defense, trying to will their team back into this game.
At the Half
posted: at 8:08 PM
One bright spot for the Trail Blazers - Raef LaFrentz just nailed a three which gives him a total of nine points (matching the number on his jersery). It's Raef's highest total of the season thus far and it figures to go up.
Good sign for the season's remaining games that LaFrentz will be able to contribute for the missing Zach Randolph.
Portland put a tiny little run together towards the end of the half. They enter the locker room down 26.
Trail Blazers 39, Clippers 65.
Free Throws!
posted: at 7:57 PM
Right on! After many, many contestants have failed to make enough free throws to get them close enough to make the Ford challenge $250, Brad comes through. Well done sir, well done.
Unforunately, things on the court have not changed much.
58-31, Los Angeles.
Tale of the Tape
posted: at 7:52 PM
Clips are up 52-27 and here's why:
Field Goal Shooting
Los Angeles: 18/26 - 67%
Portland: 9/29 - 31%
Cuttino Mobley is leading the charge with 14 and Quinton Ross is right behind with 12.
Brandon Roy tops the Trail Blazers with eight.
Just under six minutes remaining in the half.
Cassell Down
posted: at 7:43 PM
He's not getting up, and appears to be hurt badly.
Finally up on his knees, still wincing.
Replay shows no contact, but as Cassell was chasing Sergio Rodriguez through the lane something just seemed to go. All of a sudden he stopped and fell to the floor. He's being helped to the locker room and looks to be in some serious pain.
After all, at 37, Cassell is the oldest player on the court.
Nice round of applause for the veteran from these Trail Blazer fans.
Raef Rolls it in
posted: at 7:40 PM
After his free thow bounced back and forth on the rim for an inordinant amount of time, the stubborn ball finally rolled in.
Tonight is the first action that LaFrentz has seen in some time. Hopefully his minutes will be productive one as Zach Randolph is out for the remainder of the season, leaving a hole in the Trail Blazers front line.
40-20, Clippers.
After One
posted: at 7:35 PM
It's been pretty smooth sailing so far for the Clippers -- in fact, they can't miss. In the opening period they hit 13 of their 17 attempts from the floor, including a number of three's (three to be exact).
The Trail Blazers are going to have to tighten up their 'D', and also hope that the on-fire Clippers start missing a few.
38-18, Los Angeles.
Clippers Jumping Ahead
posted: at 7:29 PM
Los Angeles is playing like a team on the edge, fighting for a playoff spot.
They are up 10, and coach McMillan has called for time to try and sort things out for his young team.
Clippers 26, Trail Blazers 16.
Zach Randolph, after undergoing surgery on his injured hand, is with the team on the bench -- and might I add he's looking pretty fresh in his brown suit.
Roy Threads the Needle
posted: at 7:25 PM
Weaving and cutting through the lane, Brandon Roy expertly sets an easy dunk for Jamaal Magloire, who crams it home while being fouled. Three point play. A beauty.
Travis Outlaw in and he hits his first attempt from the foul line extended.
18-14, Clippers.
Sergio in Early
posted: at 7:19 PM
Coach McMillan's plan to get Sergio some more minutes didn't exactly come to fruition Thursday as Memphis threw so many zones at the Trail Blazers. Here's hoping we get to see the rookie point guard do some running and gunning tonight!
Martell for THREE!
posted: at 7:17 PM
Good hit early for the young man.
It's especially helpful in Martell's case to make early baskets as he has a tendency to get down on himself. So a good start.
Trail Blazers 5, Clippers 8. Portland ball.
And it's Roy to the hoop!
Make it, Trail Blazers 7, Clippers 8.
Oh, and LaMarcus Aldridge has already scooped up two offensive boards.
Trail Blazers Out to Derail Clippers
posted: at 7:13 PM
Los Angeles is hanging on ever so tenuously to a playoff spot, and tonight the Trail Blazers get to play the role of the spoiler. Time to knock Elton Brand and co. back a few steps...
If they need any extra motivation, the Trail Blazers can look back to the three close loses they have suffered at the hands of the Clippers this season.
LaMarcus starting for Zach Randolph, who had successful surgery on his hand earlier.
Here we go...
RSS FEED
I understand getting a good draft pick. But come on I mean the blazers have thrown in the towel two weeks ago. First letting Randolph go on vacation. Then a "concusion" sidelines Udoka. Then Roy misses games. Now Randolph is appearently done for the season. So who is the next key player to go down or so they say, so as to give themselves a better chance of losing games. I see Alderidge only play 7 mins tonite. Did his leg fall off?
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