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A monster game by the Portland forwards and centers was not enough to defeat the opponent.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 37 points and 12 rebounds, Chris Kaman had 15 points and 11 rebounds, but the Portland Trail Blazers fell at home to the Los Angeles Clippers, 100-94, Wednesday night at Moda Center.
The Clippers up tempo game shot them out to a quick advantage, with DeAndre Jordan scoring eight points on 4-of-4 shooting. Aldridge countered for Portland, scoring 12 points in the period, but he was responsible for almost all of the Portland offense. The rest of the team had nine points combined, and the Clippers held a six point lead after one.
The second quarter became a duel between former Clipper Kaman and former Trail Blazer Jamal Crawford. Crawford had ten in the period, but Kaman had seven to keep pace. When Aldridge came back from his rest on the bench, he went back to work scoring ten more to have 22 at the half. At one point, Aldridge had as many points as the rest of the team did combined. Overall in the second quarter, Blazers big men scored 21 points, while the rest of the team had seven. Behind the efforts of Aldridge, Kaman and Meyers Leonard, the Blazers trailed by just one at halftime.
Aldridge continued to be a driving force for Portland in the third quarter, scoring 13 points in the period and securing yet another double-double. Leonard had five in the period, and the rest of the team had five combined. With a pair of Leonard free throws, the Blazers tied the game going into the final period.
Kaman kicked off the scoring for Portland in the final period, getting two quick buckets to give Portland a four point lead. The Blazers led by as many as six, but quick scoring by Blake Griffin tied the game. A long three by Crawford gave the Clippers a 92-89 advantage, and Portland was unable to close, missing multiple threes. The Blazers shot just 6-of-25 from three in the game.
Leonard finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This was the first game this season where three Trail Blazers had double-doubles in points and rebounds. Damian Lillard finished with 15 on 5-of-16 shooting.
Gameday Thread Comments of the Night
Thanks to all who participated in tonight's Gameday Thread! Comments were often as hotly contested as any action on the court. Here were the most popular comments based on recommendations:
Post-Game Reaction
Good game, @LAClippers. pic.twitter.com/TCkBzBm2KX
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 15, 2015
Crawford admitted the way Lillard has been playing lately, he got the #Clippers attention. Trapped him all night #Blazers
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) January 15, 2015
Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum were noticeably early exits from the locker room after tonight's loss #RipCity
— CSNNW (@CSNNW) January 15, 2015
"Usually in the 4th quarter when we have the lead with 5 minutes to go, we're pretty good in those situations" - #Blazers coach Terry Stotts
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) January 15, 2015
'@aldridge_12 had 2 of his 37 pts in 4th quarter. LA: "I had it going. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't settle for those shots."
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) January 15, 2015
'@JCrossover on @Dame_Lillard: "He has proved this year he's as good as anybody in the NBA. He demands a lot of attention."
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) January 15, 2015
More "@JCrossover on @Dame_Lillard: "We defended him well. But he's such a great player, he still hit impossible shots toward the end."
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) January 15, 2015