The Portland Trail Blazers arrived ill-prepared for the last-place Dallas Mavericks, and spent the second half scratching and clawing to save themselves from an embarrassing loss. But former Blazers star Wesley Matthews shut down Damian Lillard on the final play of the game, leaving the Blazers with one of their worst defeats of the season.
Vintage Wesley Matthews on-ball defense handcuffs Damian Lillard on final possession pic.twitter.com/qkH1vvwldC
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) December 22, 2016
The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard (29 points, 4 assists), Allen Crabbe (14 points on 4-6 from three), CJ McCollum (13 points), Mason Plumlee (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Shabazz Napier (10 points).
The Blazers laid an egg to open the game, falling quickly behind the Mavs, and looking a step slow at both ends. Harrison Barnes and Deron Williams torched the Blazers, and muted boos rang out in the Moda Center as their team fell behind by over 20 points to one of the worst teams in the NBA.
All looked lost until late in the third quarter, when Lillard took over as the Mavs went cold. The Blazers went on a 16-2 run to finally pull within 10 points, and they cut the deficit to 6 early in the fourth quarter. However, as Moe Harkless fouled out, the Blazers struggled to complete the comeback. Despite copious missed shots from the Mavs, Portland still trailed by 8 with just over four minutes left. Thanks to key shots from the returning Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee, the Blazers found themselves with the ball, down one with 20 seconds left. They turned the ball over, and the Mavs returned the favor. Then Matthews shut down Lillard, and the Blazers were again looking for answers.
Lillard scores 20 third quarter points #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/cZkX5QRTf4
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Napier behind the back to Harkless on #Blazers fast break #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/Hunaov9mX1
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Ed Davis keeps Blazers possession alive, Crabbe drills the three #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/iYHd1644xX
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Extra extra pass leads to Crabbe three #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/tVsGih2xe3
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Plumlee recovers miss, reverse dunks it home #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/MjDzSGii3J
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Move out the way! Here comes Mase! #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/fyqZhEh8Ww
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Crabbe finishes in transition #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/b342TAyrOw
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Davis slam home the second chance bucket #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/NMoSzbXvEa
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Plumlee with the hook shot & 1 #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/IrcfRrtpn0
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Crabbe gets the bounce to bring the Blazers within two #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/8RI0ah4AHT
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Aminu closes the gap with a huge three #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/mv6exz6lru
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Lillard cuts through traffic to bring Blazers back to within one #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/EuNosoyeIz
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 22, 2016
Bonus Wesley Matthews Blazer Highlights
What’s Next
The Blazers finally get a few nights of sleep in their own beds. But on Friday, they wake up to a date with LaMarcus Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs. Stay tuned tonight, as Dan Marang will have more from this game.