Final: Wiz Vanquish the Blazers at Buzzer, 98-95

The Blazers were led by Nicolas Batum with a triple-double (12 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds). LaMarcus Aldridge (17 points, 12 rebounds) had a double-double. JJ Hickson (16 points), Damian Lillard (18 points) and Wesley Matthews (17 points) also scored in double-figures.

First Quarter: The only word you need to know is "Nene". With minimal interior defense, Nene scored 17 of Washington's first 27 points, giving the Wizards an early 7 point lead. However, Portland fought back. Behind the return of Meyers Leonard, and some hot shooting by Aldridge, the Blazers cut the deficit to 3 after one quarter.

Meyers going to check in. Stotts saw enough of Hicksons defense. Err lack of defense.
by FPS NorthWest

Second Quarter: Episode Two -- The Blazers Strike Back. Portland wasted no time tightening the defense, and taking advantage with easy points. Before you could blink, the Blazers had an 8 point lead. Time to run away with--- nevermind, here comes Washington. The Blazer defense lightened up, and the Wiz took advantage for a bunch of free points, cutting that 8 point lead to 1 at halftime.

Whenever Batum does a great play, I can’t help but think "yeah, but Derrick Williams woulda’ done it better".
by Mortimer (who writes the awesome Daily Doodles)

Third Quarter: The Blazers wasted no time trying to put the Wiz away, but they would have none of it. The Wiz played some good defense, stopping alley-oops and leading to easy buckets at the other end. Like their previous game, Martell Webster burned his former team repeatedly. The Blazers completely lost their rhythm on offense, including a Lillard airball three-pointer in transition, and Washington enjoyed a 5 point lead headed into the fourth quarter.

I dont remember the last time we scored.
by JP503

Fourth Quarter: Ronnie Price swished a three to open the quarter. But afterward, the Blazers' defense betrayed them again, as another Washington three-pointer gave them a 7 point lead. Another one made it 8. The crowd (and GDT) groaned. But here comes the Blazers. In just over a minute. the Blazers nearly erased it, cutting the lead to one with just over 3 minutes left. Lillard took over late, keeping the Blazers close down the stretch. The Blazers had a chance to take the lead with 90 seconds left, but JJ turned it over, giving the Wiz a 3 point lead, then Lillard turned it over for a 5 point lead. But in just 45 seconds, Lillard and Matthews tied the game with some clutch shooting. The Wiz had a chance to win the game with 4 seconds left. They gave it to to Jordan Crawford, who launched a three-pointer at the buzzer... and swished it. Goodnight, Portland.

[Credit: Tawny Campbell]

Box score | Portland Trail Blazers tickets via TiqIQ

Stay tuned for more analysis from Blazer’s Edge later tonight. In the meantime, check out the upcoming Blazers schedule. -- Tim [blazer.timmay@gmail.com]