:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43615442/20141106_jla_ad3_307.jpg.0.jpg)
Thursday night was a tale of two halves, and Portland used the second to blow Dallas completely out of the building.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 20, Damian Lillard had 18 (14 in the second half), and Chris Kaman had 12 off the bench as the Blazers torched the Mavericks 108-87.
The first quarter was an early battle between Aldridge and Monta Ellis, with Aldridge winning the initial skirmish. He had 10 in the first on 5-of-6 shooting while Ellis had 8 on 4-of-6. The Mavericks bench evened the playing field, and Dallas took a 24-20 lead after one.
Portland's bench went to work in the second, with CJ McCollum and Chris Kaman combining for 10 points, but Portland starters shot 3-of-12 in the period. The Blazers suffered from ball control issues as well, with five turnovers in the quarter. On defense, the Blazers were unable to contain Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 12 in the quarter, and the Mavericks held onto their four point advantage going into halftime.
Portland has been a strong team coming out of the break this season, and Dallas has not. This trend continued in spades as Portland dominated the third quarter. Wesley Matthews had 10, the bench contributed 7, and the Blazers kept every Maverick not named Chandler Parsons in check as they set a season-high with 35 points in the quarter to take a 81-68 lead.
The fourth was all Portland as they kicked off the quarter with a 17-5 run and never looked back. Damian Lillard had 10 to seal the victory early in the period.
CJ McCollum had 13 off the bench in a strong outing after not playing at all versus Cleveland.
Stay tuned for Dave Deckard's game analysis, arriving late tonight.
Gameday Thread Comments of the Night
Chandler Parsons hates it here. I’m glad.
by Tyler Durrden
Freeland, TRob, and Meyers in the backcourt. Hopefully we get to see that a lot this year. Means the game is way out of hand.
by eloi
CJ plays garbage time like it's overtime. Love his attitude.
by adapt
Post-Game Reaction
Note: There was a medical incident in the fourth quarter of tonight's game, as a female fan collapsed in the 100 level. The paramedics reportedly arrived quickly and performed CPR on the court. The game stopped for this stretch, and she was wheeled off the court toward the locker room area. Many of the post-game thoughts were about the unknown status of the fan in question.
Stotts said everyone in locker room was thinking about the fan.
— Mike Tokito (@mtokito) November 7, 2014
Short statement from team spokesman says fan was a female, suffered a medical emergency, taken to Emanuel Hospital. No other details.
— Mike Tokito (@mtokito) November 7, 2014
62-37 (2nd half score) was circled in DAL locker room. "I've got to do a better job... It's on me... We've got to get better fast" Carlisle
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 7, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to the woman who had the medical issue at tonight's game. #ripcity is with you and your family!
— Wesley Matthews (@wessywes2) November 7, 2014
Every player I talked to in the locker room post-game asked if there was any update on the woman who had to be taken to the hospital.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) November 7, 2014
Prayers to the woman who had the medical issue at tonight's game. #ripcity is with you and your family! God bless
— Will Barton (@WillTheThrillB5) November 7, 2014
Robin Lopez's reaction to the incident from tonight. pic.twitter.com/jQhoCNDAAB
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) November 7, 2014
"I have to do a better job getting these guys ready to play an entire 48 minutes.'' -- #Mavs coach Rick Carlisle
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) November 7, 2014
Damian Lillard said there was a stretch in the OKC game where he realized the Blazers had improved on D from last year.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) November 7, 2014
'@ChrisKaman, on #Blazers' third-quarter outburst vs. Mavs: "We picked it up, put our foot on their throats and then finished them off."
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) November 7, 2014
SENDING PRAYERS UP TO THE WOMAN THAT COLLAPSED IN THE STANDS AT THE GAME TONIGHT..!! #LIFEISBIGGERTHANBASKETBALL
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) November 7, 2014
CJ McCollum talked about making sure he used his fouls wisely tonight. Maybe heard Doc Rivers rant from last night.
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) November 7, 2014
'@wessywes2: "We're been playing good defense throughout these 5 games. Now we're getting the stops and making teams pay on the other end."
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) November 7, 2014
VIDEO: Damian Lillard steals a pass and breaks out for a fast break dunk.
VIDEO: Chris Kaman catches the nifty pass from Steve Blake and finishes the play off with a two-handed dunk.
VIDEO: LaMarcus Aldridge beats the halftime buzzer with a one-handed tip.
VIDEO: Damian Lillard speaks with TNT's Rachel Nichols following the game.
VIDEO: Coach Terry Stotts, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Chris Kaman speak with the media after tonight's game.