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In a funny coincidence, the Blazers fell in Chicago to a combination of a Rose and a Duck.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard had 35, but the Portland Trail Blazers could not overcome a season-best night by Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks, falling at the United Center Friday night, 115-106.
Aldridge had a first quarter to remember. He shot 10-of-12 from the field for 21 points, and had more points in one quarter than he had the entire game versus Minnesota. He hoisted four more shots than the rest of the team did combined, and until Kirk Hinrich hit a three with a under a minute remaining was outscoring the Bulls by himself. His ten field goals in one quarter tied a Blazers record. Behind that stellar quarter, the Blazers led by four after the first.
The Blazers capitalized on their hot first quarter by going in exactly the opposite direction. They committed turnovers on their first three possessions of the second quarter, and allowed a 23-5 Chicago run to trail by as many as 12. Aldridge was off the court during the run, replaced by Meyers Leonard who looked lost on offense and defense. During one possession he lost his place on the court, causing Steve Blake to collide with him. He finished the quarter 0-for-2 shooting and with a -16 defensive rating. Near the end of the quarter Lillard and Wesley Matthews got hot, combining for 17 in the period, but Chicago led by eight at halftime.
The Blazers rallied in the third quarter behind excellent shooting by Aldridge, Blake, and Nicolas Batum, cutting the Chicago lead to as little as two. Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose continued to be a thorn in Portland's side, but the Blazers only trailed by four after three quarters.
The fourth quarter was all Brooks and Rose. The duo combined for 22 in the final period, including hitting eight straight shots to hold off Lillard who scored 18 in the fourth quarter. Brooks, a former Oregon Duck, finished with 15 points. Aldridge only took one shot in the final period.
Lillard hit 7-of-9 shots from three-point range. Steve Blake had nine off the bench. The loss snapped the Blazers' 10 game winning streak against the Eastern Conference.
Gameday Thread Comments of the Night
Honestly, we don't play Meyers that stint early on...we win that game. He single-handedly tanked the team for 5 minutes. He played 5 MINUTES and was -16!
by jons_guitar
Sorry to pick on Meyers... But that shift shafted us.
by hellofromengland
Well there's some good news guys, take heart. LILLARD HAS FOUND GOD MODE AGAIN! It’s kinda like the Avatar-state. He just shoots and kills all in his path with ridiculous efficiency.
by Idog1976
Bulls shoot 69% in fourth. That will stymie a comeback every time
by pklym
Post-Game Reaction
LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard are first Trail Blazers teammates with 35+ points since Clyde Drexler and Jerome Kersey (1/1/88 v PHI).
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) December 13, 2014
Aldridge was 0-for-1 with 2 points in 7:49 of the fourth quarter. Bulls really took him out of the game down the stretch.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) December 13, 2014
Terry Stotts: "We've done a good job defensively, but we took a step back tonight." #BlazersTalk @RipCityRadio620
— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) December 13, 2014
VIDEO: LaMarcus Aldridge hits one of his patented tough fade-away shots early in the first quarter.
VIDEO: LaMarcus Aldridge takes Pau Gasol off the dribble for two of his game-high tying 35 points.