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After raving about their engaging video session yesterday, and passed in the standings by the Denver Nuggets, the Portland Trail Blazers had a chance to show they were ready to roar back into the standings. Instead, they sputtered to an ugly loss against the Charlotte Hornets, who had previously lost five in a row.
This was an ominous sign for this team and the season. They’re running out of time to make up ground in the West, and the Nuggets have raced past them behind the strong play of Nikola Jokić. Despite bringing back nearly the same team as last season, the Blazers have caused their fans to start reviewing Draft Express.
The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Nicolas Batum struggled with his shot, but still finished with a solid stat line.
Highlights
HIGHLIGHT: Plumlee with the two-hand, putback slam. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/m3PqgHfvvW
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Lillard cleans up his own miss. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/Gh90zDMqK5
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Dame draws the help, kicks to CJ for the wide-open three. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/PyqeC78fcA
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Turner with the buzzer beater, just how he drew it up. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/aoIfwikIRj
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Lillard muscles through the lane for the layup. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/SdN0uMOb4G
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Plumlee busts out the vintage sky hook. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/0E9l0UNMH9
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: CJ fakes right, goes left. Batum can't do anything but watch. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/hV4Z3AVePN
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
And a bonus clip, Kevin Calabro singing Happy Birthday to the Blazers’ own Mike Wheeler:
WATCH: Calabro has the voice of an angel. Shows off the pipes, sings "Happy Birthday" for Wheels. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/vJe4bKSicq
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 19, 2017
What’s Next
The Blazers fly to Philly, where the up-and-coming Sixers (and the unstoppable Joel Embiid) are waiting for a Friday battle. But stay tuned, Dan Marang has more analysis of tonight’s game later.