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The top scorers for the Blazers were LaMarcus Aldridge (22 points, 11 rebounds), Nicolas Batum (17 points, 8 assists), JJ Hickson (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Damian Lillard (15 points, 7 assists). However, no Blazer truly had a great night, and this will best be forgotten by the next game.
First Quarter: Batum and Hickson warmed up early with back-to-back three-pointers for the lead. However, Sacramento was ready to play, keeping the game tied through most of the quarter. A Luke Babbitt three gave the Blazers a quick seven point lead, and it was still 6 at the horn.
Aaron Brooks is really starting to look like Chris Rock.
by richardb
Second Quarter: A beautiful fast break alley-oop from Will Barton to Meyers Leonard gave the Blazers their first double-digit lead. However Travis Outlaw returned, in his featured "only plays well against the Blazers" role. Sacramento scored the next 8 points to force a Blazer timeout. It didn't help. With a little help from Ronnie Price, the Blazers fell apart, spotting 15 free points to the Kings, who took a 5 point lead. More poor play helped Sacramento move to a 10 point lead. This was as tough to watch as any moment of the Blazer season so far. The Kings outscored the Blazers 28-15 in the quarter, to take a 7 point lead into the locker room.
STOP SHOOTING RONNIE PRICE. Someone needs to tell him he’s the 12th scoring option on this team.
by Arby
Third Quarter: The starters returned to put a dent into Sacramento's lead. Within 4 minutes, some nice passing helped cut it the lead to three, but within seconds it was seven, then three again. The Blazers scrapped and did some stuff between turnovers to keep things close, until Price came back in. Aldridge tried helped keep things from getting out of hand, but a Lillard charge, followed by a buzzer-beater three from Aaron Brooks, gave Sacramento a 9 point lead at the horn.
The Price is not right today.
by Blazing Chargers
Fourth Quarter: The ugliness continued. When the Sacramento lead reached 14 (and it was seconds), the starters finally returned. However, another Marcus Thornton three pushed the lead to 17, as most of the remainder of Portland tuned into Sunday Night Football. They didn't miss anything but an emptied Blazer bench.
Box score | Portland Trail Blazers tickets via TiqIQ
Stay tuned for Dave's analysis later on. The Blazers head home for the holiday, then play these same Kings on the 26th at the Rose Garden. -- Tim