Game Time:  7:00 p.m. Pacific  TV:  Comcast

I'm going to list three names for you.  You tell me what they have in common.

• Chris Douglas-Roberts
• Brook Lopez
• Courtney Lee

If you said "The girls from the Channel 7 Eyewitness Reports Squad" you're wrong!  They're actually NBA players.  They play for the Nets, which means they've been playing like the girls from the Channel 7 Eyewitness Reports Squad.  But that's another story.

The Nets come into Portland having not won a game this year.  Period.  0-14.  That's pretty sick, and not in the hip way.  Except for managing a virtual tie in blocked shots and offensive rebounds they're getting beaten, usually handily, in every statistical category you can name.  They're scoring 85 a night and averaging a double-digit loss.  They're shooting 40 points lower than their opponents from the field, 65 points lower from three.  Their offensive efficiency doesn't even register on the scale.  The Blazers have played some woeful offensive teams lately.  Chicago is 27^th in the league, Charlotte (remember how pitiful that offensive lineup was?) is 5 points below them, another point down is Minnesota, but New Jersey comes in almost 2 points behind the ‘Wolves.  This isn't just an issue of slow pace creating low scores.  They've really been that bad.

Despite that there are reasons to be cautious of this team right now.  The aforementioned Courtney Lee and point guard Devin Harris have been injured for most of the season.  Both are back now.  That alone should give the Nets a shot in the arm, Harris offensively, Lee defensively.  Chris Douglas-Roberts has flourished since the injuries gave him extra shots.  Both he and center Brook Lopez have given the Blazers trouble in the past.  Lopez is not your prototypical offensive center but he too has been striking gold with the extra looks, scoring 26 against the Pacers (off of 27 shots!)  He's a good rebounder some nights.  He's tough and mean every night.

The Nets' main mistake in the last couple of years has been banking on mediocre (or worse) acquisitions to bolster their top players.  Witness Rafer Alston (an offensive guy shooting 33%), Yi Jianlian (not exactly setting the world on fire and now out with an injury),  Trenton Hassell (a defensive specialist who's not as good at defending as he used to be), Bobby Simmons (another offensive marvel barely clearing 35%), Eduardo Najera (an energy guy who's out of energy), Sean Willams (what?!?), Josh Boone (who?!?), and Jarvis Hayes (blech, and also injured).  It's the Island of Misfit Toys.  Except I don't think even Rudolph and Herbie could find good homes for these guys.  I'm guessing somebody in Nets management was a bad, bad boy, or at least wasn't vigilant in guarding the chimney.  "I fell asleep!  What did Santa bring me???  Oh Je...eepers.  Did he leave the receipts?"

The basic strategy against the Nets is to not let anybody have a big night who really, really shouldn't.  If their main guys score a little, so be it.  Even between them they'll have a hard time getting to 100.  It's happened once this year...against the Wizards.  Hanging your hat on that is like boasting that you got a free meal at the Salvation Army.  That's really nice for you, but psst...I have something to tell you.  Meanwhile you need to respect their defense enough that you work for a good shot instead of just assuming you're going to beat them with whatever you throw up.  They're fractured right now and they're just in the beginning stages of trying to put things back together.  Make them make decisions as a team and depend on each other and you should see good results.

Pivotal Points to the Game

1.  Don't take it for granted.  They're going to win their first one sometime.

2.  Almost nobody on this team is a good distance shooter.  Follow the strategy you've been pursuing all year.  Deny the middle, make them score from the edges.  You'll be happy.

3.  They don't share the ball any better than they shoot the ball.  Your first guess should always be that the scorer holding the ball right now is going to take the shot.  Plan accordingly.

4.  This should be another night when LaMarcus Aldridge can go to town.  Milk him and keep his spirits high.  Good things will follow.

5.  Two words:  Bench Dominance.  If Portland's reserves don't eat up their Jersey counterparts something is wrong.  Even depleted the Blazer bench ought to be good for a double-digit advantage.

Final Thoughts and Links

I'm looking forward to seeing Oden and Lopez duel.  Let's see if Greg can keep the mojo going.

Check out...check out...by gum, SBN does not have a Nets site to check out.  Quickly, someone start one!  My suggestion is http://www.BrownPaperBagOverMyHead.com.  You can suggest your own names below.

You can enter tonight's Jersey Contest form here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

More photos » by Rich Pedroncelli - AP

Browse more photos »

It's no secret any more: John Hollinger's numbers love the Blazers.  A weak opening schedule, large margin of victories and a slow-down style that encourages efficient play have combined to shoot the Blazers up to 3rd place on Hollinger's power rankings.

Like last year, the Blazers again find themselves in the upper echelon of teams from an offensive efficiency standpoint this season.  The surprise this year?  The Blazers are currently ranked #2 in defensive efficiency, a nice accomplishment for a team that lost its best perimeter defender, Nicolas Batum, to long-term injury and fiddled with an unconventional three guard lineup for much of the early season.

There are a number of reasons for the team's early defensive success: the continued development of Greg Oden, the improvement of Rudy Fernandez, the giveaway of Sergio Rodriguez and, of course, the extremely weak early season schedule.

One other reason that hasn't gotten a lot of play, though, is the team's use of zone and matchup zone defenses.  This isn't something new -- Nate McMillan has had both in his system for years -- but the zone looks appear to be working quite well this season.  The first half in Atlanta stands out in particular.  That night, the zone was used for long stretches of the second quarter, helping hold the Hawks, one of the league's elite offensive units, to just 20 second quarter points and 43 first half points. 

 After practice today I spoke briefly with coach Nate McMillan about his zone defenses. During our conversation he makes reference to a "straight zone" (players defend set areas rather than specific bodies) and "match-up zones."  Here's a nice, simple definition of a match-up zone courtesy of Coaches Clipboard.net...

Match-up zone is a "combination" defense, combining elements of man-to-man defense (on ball), and zone defense (away from the ball). This is a zone defense that acts a lot like a good man-to-man defense. The on-ball defender closes-out and plays tight like in a man-to-man. The zone away from the ball resembles man-to-man "help-side" defense.

Here's a transcript of our conversation.

Blazersedge: You've been playing some match-up zone recently on defense. What prompted you to go in that direction this year?

That's a part of the package. We have a zone package that we play. It's not just one zone. We've got really four zones. We've got a "2", "2 Black", "3" and "3 Black".  

The "Blacks" are matchups and the "2s" and "3s" are straight zones.

Depending on what a team has out on the floor as far as players, whether they have shooters, we are able to cover the perimeter [with our 3]. If they have bigs as well as shooters we go to our 2, which can cover the perimeter as well as the paint.

Blazersedge: What triggers the switch into the zone?  If your opponent comes out shooting cold or is it a personnel thing?

It could be a lineup, it could be that they are hot and we are trying to disrupt them, get them out of a rhythm.

Last night we tried to go to it because Chicago started to get a rhythm offensively. We wanted to change their attack and get them standing and not moving.  I think they were able to score once or twice off of it.

We use it for a number of different reasons. It's just part of our defensive package. We go to it when they go to certain lineups or if we're trying to break a rhythm.

Blazersedge: Is it true that we are more likely to see the zone if you're going smaller with the 3 guard lineup?

Possibly. Possibly.  Because they do have maybe an advantage somewhere and we can keep our paint tight and stay away from teams trying to post up one of our small guards.

Blazersedge: What brings you out of the zone?  They shoot over the top of it or... ?

It depends. It depends. Sometimes they are shooting over the top of it but we're keeping them on the perimeter. It all depends on the game and their lineup and how they are scoring. If they are scoring over the top of the zone with a hand in their face, we sometimes stay in it.

Blazersedge: There's a lot made about how difficult it is to rebound defensively when you're in the zone defense, because the bigs have to go actively find a body to box out.  Is that a reality in the NBA or is that a misnomer?

Yeah, you look at all of that.

In the NBA, you can't play your traditional zone because you can't keep a middle man because of the illegal defense. It's some zone-like rules but it's not your traditional zone. 

Blazersedge: In general, would you say your players prefer to play zone or man-to-man?

It's just part of our package. We've explained why we use it [to the players]. We use it different times and against different teams and we try to take advantage or disrupt or catch a team, surprise a team with falling back into a zone. 

Blazersedge: Do you try to run out off the zone or are you looking to slow tempo?

You try to run out on both man and zone. It's the same. Sometimes the zone is even more difficult for teams to match up with their player (in transition) because their guy might be on the other side of the court.

About halfway through, you probably noticed Nate McMillan make passing reference to the NBA's defensive 3-second rule and how it prevents a "middle man" from running a "traditional" zone by camping out in the key. Yet another thing for a young big man like Greg Oden to worry about.

Last Friday, I wrote...

I'm not sure how much longer the Juwan Howard era can continue before his play becomes a Nate McMillan problem and not a Juwan Howard problem.   There are few situations where Howard's number gets called and your first reaction isn't "Oh dear, here we go."  Just play Cunningham. Let's see him play worse than Howard before Howard gets extended minutes again.    

Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, it was a beautiful thing to watch as Nate McMillan did just that.  And, at least for one night, that decision paid off nicely.

Taking a step back, though, McMillan has been presented with the quintessential "Experience vs. Potential" showdown thanks to Juwan Howard and Dante Cunningham.  In one corner, a cagey veteran on his last legs, who compensates for a lack of athleticism by knowing every trick in the book.  In the other, a hungry rookie anxious to please, still with star-struck eyes but also a monster work ethic and a strong, young athletic body.  

The role the two players are battling for is minor: backup minutes behind one of the team's star players, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.  It's a limited role but an important one, particularly in the wake of injuries to both Travis Outlaw and Nic Batum. Short two key rotation players, just filling those minutes is no longer enough.  Production is necessary.  Howard, bless his heart and his baggy Michigan shorts, isn't exactly oozing production these days. While he might not do a ton of positive things, he is still savvy enough to avoid doing negative things.  Generally speaking, avoiding disaster can often be enough to earn spot minutes when you're playing for one of the most risk-averse coaches in the league.

Having played four years at Villanova, the 22 year old Cunningham isn't your typical mistake-making rookie.   Yes, he occasionally rushes his shot and he did travel during Monday night's game after hesitating to pull the trigger. But his court awareness and instincts have exceeded expectations and he rarely breaks down defensively.  His footwork on both ends has been very good, he does a nice job of keeping the action in front of him, he crashes the glass hard (not always getting the board, but impacting the scrum at the least), he is active off the ball and he sets a solid pick.  

Put it all together and Cunningham leaves his coaches looking for a reason why he shouldn't play rather than reasons why he should. 

Until Monday night, Nate McMillan had given nearly all the backup power forward minutes to Juwan Howard.  Against the Bulls, though, Cunningham was the first power forward called off the bench.  After the game, McMillan was asked about his confidence in Cunningham, the rookie...

We're going to need him. He's worked hard. Every time you put him on the floor he's learning. He's picking up some things and doing some things better. We'll go that way. He's playing aggressive. He's smart. He's played big time basketball before. Yes, I do have confidence in him being out there.

Cunningham played 14 minutes against the Bulls' active, aggressive young frontline of Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and James Johnson.  But it wasn't a particular match-up that made Nate McMillan call Cunningham's number.

I just like what I've been seeing. In practice, in games. Last game we gave him a few minutes, he made some hustle players. Was doing some good things. With Outlaw being out, we're going to need both him and Howard to play that 4 position, that backup 4. And I wanted to give him some minutes off of what he did last game. After looking at him tonight, you put him out there again. But we will need both he and Howard. 

Blazersedge: How much notice did Nate give you to let you know you would be that first power forward off the bench?

A little bit. We worked in the (Monday morning) walkthrough a little bit of what he was looking to do. When he called my name I was just ready to go.

Blazersedge: Were you surprised when he called your number tonight?

No, not today. Because again in walkthrough I was the first (backup) four to go through the plays and everything like that. It was just something mentally I was just always ready.

Blazersedge: Did he let you know if this was a permanent change or do you have an idea how long it might last?

Not really. No, I think it's going to depend on how he's feeling. What the team needs. It could go either way, me and Juwan.

Blazersedge: What has Nate emphasized that he wants to see from you in those minutes?

Energy, getting all the loose balls. Hustling. Just playing defense, things like that.

Blazersedge: You're a pretty solid pick-setter.  You're out there roaming a little bit.

I love the contact. I love getting out there setting screens. The problem is a lot of teams at the four position switch. So it's kind of hard for me to set a screen without having the guard just switching and it being a moot pick. 

Blazersedge: What do you do in that situation?

If they switch, a lot of times I either don't set a screen or slip the screen. If I do happen to set it, hopefully I have the big on me and I get far enough away so it's a long run for them to [recover to the ball-handler and protect the basket]. 

Blazersedge: But if you slip that pick and pop out, that's when they have you looking for your shot, right?

Mmm-hmmm.

More photos » by Sam Forencich - NBAE/Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 23: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls ain't fooling smack-talking Greg "Giggles" Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game on November 23, 2009 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Browse more photos »

So that's what it looks like when everything comes together.  It's been awhile since Portland Trail Blazers fans have seen their team play as dominant, inspired basketball as they did Monday night, pounding the Chicago Bulls 122-98 in the Rose Garden.  

The win was a blueprint for how things should have been working all along.  The tandem of Greg Oden (24 points, 12 rebounds) and LaMarcus Aldridge (24 points, 13 rebounds) should overwhelm teams inside.  The scoring ability and play-making of Brandon Roy (18 points, 7 assists) should open things up for his teammates.  Andre Miller (15 points, 5 assists) should be free to attack weaker second team defenses, getting to the line for an endless string of free throws.  Rudy Fernandez (13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) should play off of Miller, knocking down open shots and dazzling the crowd with his passes (except that one off of Luol Deng's face.  Jeepers.). Steve Blake (3 points, 4 assists) should be the 7th or 8th offensive option, playing passably but not horribly.  The youngsters -- Jerryd Bayless (4 points) and Dante Cunningham (4 points)-- should help step on the gas when appropriate.  And Martell Webster (6 points, 4 rebounds) should do what he does best: try really hard during garbage time to make up for a lackluster game.

All kidding aside, this game was by far the best all-around performance of the young 2009-2010 season for the Blazers and was certainly the most impressive, entertaining victory of the year as well.  

The Blazers won the first quarter, counted on their depth to blow open the game in the second quarter, did a solid job of weathering a Luol Deng-led (25 points) push in the third quarter and cruised down the stretch.  With the game out of reach, the Rose Garden crowd took a break from doing the wave to serenade their starting center with chants of "Oden! Oden!" in appreciation of his play against NCAA rival Joakim Noah.  It's hard to remember the Rose Garden cheering Oden as passionately as they did Monday night, and it was well-deserved.  His strong, patient play on offense, his smart play on defense and his fantastic foul shooting added up to what was likely his best performance as a professional.  It was, at times, mouth-watering and jaw-dropping.

His confidence soaring, Oden returned to the locker room after the game -- and an NBATV interview -- to joke on camera that his Ohio State Buckeyes would "smash" either the Beavers or the Ducks in the Rose Bowl.  He laughed and smiled as he said, "Sorry, but it's true."  What's this?  Giggles talking smack?  Love it.

While the hot discussion topic might still be whether Steve Blake or Andre Miller should start at point guard, tonight we finally saw real evidence that Miller running the second unit is good for all parties.  Make no mistake, Miller had a much better game than Blake tonight.  But ask yourself this: Does Miller score the same 16 points if he plays all his minutes alongside Brandon Roy?  Probably not.  Does Brandon Roy score 18 points if he plays all of his minutes alongside Andre Miller?  Do these two players, the team's two best play-makers, combine for 12 assists if their minutes overlapped more?  Are both Aldridge and Oden able to get going if Roy and Miller are both in the game simultaneously, if Blake isn't there to keep the defense a little bit more honest?  Does the team's dominant second quarter take place if Blake is running the show rather than Miller?

We might not have solid answers to these hypothetical questions but we do have answers from tonight: simply put, Miller off the bench can work on the court.  Indeed, it can work very well.  Will it work over the long haul, taking into account egos, minutes, numbers, and all the rest of it?  Who knows.  But it produced the single best team performance of the season.  

When the Blazers are rolling like they did tonight, there are not many teams in the NBA that can come in to Portland and win.  Certainly, that effort would have beaten the Denver team that came to Portland earlier this season and, equally certainly, that effort will beat the Jazz team the Blazers face later this week. While the starting point guard battle can and should remain an open race, a new ceiling has been established.  Surely, Nate McMillan feels vindicated in his lineup juggling thanks to this result.

At the same time, though, McMillan should feel satisfied that his current group, despite the injuries, is talented enough to win the Northwest Division.  He should put to rest the talk of needing "bodies" and realize he's got 11 talented, healthy bodies that just ran a solid Bulls team completely off the court. Unless someone else goes down, it's not about bodies for this group right now.  It's about effort and chemistry.

Random Game Notes

• Brandon Roy, on which team he's pulling for in next week's Civil War: "The Beavers, because the Ducks hate the Huskies more."    
• Last year I attended the epic Free Darko launch party in Seattle and missed Derrick Rose's first tour through Portland. Tonight was my first look at Rose in person. While he started slow and didn't play a perfect game, there isn't a player in the NBA that gets from the corner to the hoop as fast and from the ground to rim level as explosively as Derrick Rose.  One of those must-see-in-person-to-believe players.  Rose's pre-game workout routine was impressive, particularly on the second night of a back-to-back.  He shot for roughly 25 minutes, working on shots from every angle and taking probably 50 bank shots.  Quite interesting that there is a noticeable difference in his shooting percentages when he goes from uncontested to contested even during warm-ups, as he started missing regularly with a simple hand in his face from the coaching staff.  Obviously his form is far from ideal but he's a complete monster off the dribble.  Good lord. The budding Derrick Rose vs. John Wall decade-long smackdown is top five on my list of most anticipated things about the 2010-2020 era, edging out flying cars and liquid pizza.
•  Derrick Rose's adidas sneakers are official.  I realize the angle and proximity of this camera phone picture reveal me to be roughly 2 feet behind him when I snapped it.  Look I didn't plan for that to happen, it just did, ok? I promise. Blazersedge commenter Courtside Errand Boy is my witness.
• Joel Przybilla deserves a shoutout for not missing a shot (3-3 for 8 points) in 16 minutes. As Greg Oden becomes more dominant, Przybilla gets more invisible.  But he's still there, doing what he's been doing.
• Look for more on Dante Cunningham's promotion to backup power forward tomorrow morning.

Nate's Post-Game Comments

Greg Oden?

I thought he was great. I thought he was really patient in the post. Did a nice job of taking his time, reading the defense. When the defense played him with single coverage he was able to score, with deep post position to start with. When they tried to double-team he did a good job of making good decisions out of the post. I thought he was really good. His pick and roll defense was really good on Rose, being up on those screens and forming that wall that we talked about. I thought our bigs, not just Greg, Greg, LaMarcus, the combination of Greg, LaMarcus and Brandon and Miller coming in and keeping that thing going. I just thought it was a solid game from start to finish with our guys. 

Killer instinct tonight?

I thought the rhythm was a good rhythm. They played off of each other. They took what the defense gave them. They made the defense pay. We went to different guys, different parts of the game and all of them were ready. It wasn't like they were standing or not in rhythm or not involved in the play. I thought they did a good job of playing off of each other. When you have those guys moving the ball like they did tonight, it's going to be hard to stop everything. We had the inside game going with LaMarcus and Greg. Brandon was on the perimeter, Andre did a good job of coming in and quarterbacking and being aggressive and getting guys involved and it was just I thought all night long offensively a good rhythm.

Does that reinforce your new lineup?

I hope so. They've got to make it work.  I feel that it can work if we take advantage of it but they have to make it work. Tonight we showed what we can do with that unit. Chicago has been playing really good defense lately. They've had a tough 3 game road trip but Noah and those guys they've been getting after teams. I thought tonight offensively we were just hitting on all cylinders.

Is that as hard as Andre has played?

I wouldn't say that. I thought he did a good job of directing and quarterbacking. Last game he did that and I thought again tonight where he got guys involved but he was able to stay aggressive and quarterback that offense and defense. Just be the playmaker with that second group. All the things I think he can do. We can take advantage of that. He reads what the defense is doing very well and he takes advantage of it. He gets the ball to those guys when they're open.

Oden's confidence rising?

Yeah, he's getting a better feel every night. Playing against different guys. He's seeing the different types of defense, where they're fronting him, double-teaming him on dribble, double-teaming him on catch, tonight he saw them come on baseline. Those are the type of reads he will have to play against. But he's really patient. So I don't think that will be a problem. Just knowing what to do once you see those coverages. He's taking his time getting to the rim and not just settling for the jump hook. He's getting deep position and getting even closer. He's doing a good job establishing deep position and being patient. 

Second Unit

I like what Miller has done with that group the last two games. We'll need him to do that not only initiate it and set people up but be aggressive.

Dante

We're going to need him. He's worked hard. Every time you put him on the floor he's learning. He's picking up some things and doing some things better. We'll go that way. He's playing aggressive. He's smart. He's played big time basketball before. Yes, I do have confidence in him being out there.

Were Dante's minutes upped just for this game for match-up reasons? 

Nah, I just like what I've been seeing. In practice, in games. Last game we gave him a few minutes he made some hustle players. Was doing some good things. With Outlaw being out, we're going to need both him and Howard to play that 4 position, that backup 4. And I wanted to give him some minutes off of what he did last game. After looking at him tonight, you put him out there again. But we will need both he and Howard. 

More photos » by Don Ryan - AP

Create your own caption for this one. I don't even have words.

Browse more photos »

As you can see by the final score, the summary of the game is pretty simple.  They brought Noah.  We brought the flood.  End of story.  It was a night where almost everything the Blazers did worked.  The Bulls did a couple of things well too but almost everything beats a couple of things.  By 24, to be exact.

The game started out in near-comedic fashion as both teams seemed committed to showing the other had no transition defense.  Unfortunately neither team evidenced much transition offense either.  Watching these squads run the floor early was like watching Lake Oswegans rap.  I mean, maybe you can recognize some decent intentions in there but it's just not right.  ("Yo, these gold chains are real, dawg.  But I have to get them back before my moms goes to dinner.  Finesse the bling, yo.  If fur is murder then my mom's a serial killer.  Don't judge.  Those chinchillas had it coming!  Peace out.")   Then the Blazers came to their senses and started pounding it in to Greg Oden.  We haven't mentioned this yet, though it's been going on for a couple weeks, but the re-post option for Greg is really good.  It gives him time to get comfortable position, makes the defender move, and doesn't require him to make any moves before he's ready.  Congrats to the staff for making the Phil Jackson-Shaq connection and kudos to our guards for sticking with it on those plays.  The results speak for themselves.  LaMarcus Aldridge came along for the ride inside and out.  With the two biggest guys on the team connecting with haymakers the Bulls started to sweat.  The added perspiration let the Roy-Miller trio (yes, they played together and yes, it worked) slip by for any kind of shot they wanted.  Unfortunately the Bulls came to their senses as well and started doing the Deng-Salmons two-step on the guards (yes, they played defense together too and yes, it was shaky).  The end result was a 31-28 quarter in favor of the Blazers.

One of the teams went for 30+ again in the second quarter and one definitely didn't.  Bucking the season's trend, the team that poured it on was the Blazers.  Once again they super-sized the offense with Oden and LMA doing damage.  This time we saw a little bit of Miller-Bayless-Roy, which worked a little better defensively, and then Miller-Blake-Roy, which stalled a little offensively until Roy started driving.  (Memo:  The three-guard lineup isn't dead.  It just switched time slots.)  Chicago couldn't compensate and all of a sudden the Portland offense exploded.  The Blazers scored 16 of their last 23 points of the quarter at the rim or from the foul line.  Chicago was still hitting shots but they couldn't keep up, especially since they lacked the free throw side of the equation.  Portland walked into the locker room up 15 and looking happy.

All year long the Blazers have come out loaded for bear in the third period.  In this case the bear was Teddy, though.  Oden was still pounding it inside but the Bulls were swarming and fouling him at every opportunity.  He responded well but the tempo slowed overall and his teammates had a harder time finding and hitting good shots.  Meanwhile Chicago exploited their matchup advantages at both backcourt positions and the small forward position.  Luol Deng damaged anybody the Blazers threw against him and Chicago's screens dislodged Portland defenders with ease leading to awkward moments at the rim for the Blazers.  With all of that, though, the Bulls only made up 5 points and entered the fourth down 10.

The script called for the Bulls to whittle the lead down to a toothpick before Portland responded.  And when Kirk Hinrich converted a layup 16 seconds into the quarter it looked like that story might unfold yet again.  Then Rudy happened.  Playing once again with Miller and Roy, Fernandez started weaving and heaving.  He got himself open from the arc and his shot was deadly.  He hit 2 threes and a layup in a three-minute stretch.  When Oden and Aldridge started scoring too, it just wasn't fair.  Portland ends up winning by 24, having plenty of fun along the way and sending the crowd home happy.

The key to the game tonight was energy.  From Oden's inside play to Brandon's drives to the commitment (and occasional pressing) of Bayless and Cunningham coming off the deep bench the Blazers demonstrated their desire for this game and their willingness to do what it took to get it.  Even when they stopped flat-out breaking they still ran the ball up to set the offense.  Multiple players were calling for the ball, including Oden and Webster who are usually among the less demonstrative players.  They made opportunities for talent to shine through and plenty of it did.  Portland shot 57.5%, eclipsing the Bulls by more than 10%.  They hit their threes also (40%) but didn't over-rely on them (15 attempts out of 73 total shots).  The refs blew a ton of whistles in this game and Portland got the benefit of most of them, shooting 40 foul shots to 22 for the Bulls.  They outrebounded Chicago by 20, virtually eliminated turnovers...other than some spotty defense there was absolutely nothing wrong with this game.  It was great to see.

Click through for individual observations and links.

Continue reading this post »

Here's your thread to reflect on tonight's game.  What did you like and what didn't you?  Did the new-old lineup come through again?  Share your thoughts here.  Please be respectful of each other and represent the site well as you do so.  The Game Recap and Media Row Report will be coming soon.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)