FanPost

Overreacting to Game #14: Portland 99, Orlando 94

SHABAZZZZZZZZZZ! Yes. This game has been coming. After games with 12, 11, and 8 points and solid play leading into tonight, the table was set. And Napier delivered in style. A career high 19 points and a vital 5-5 from deep. 3 steals and even a block. 2 successful shifts playing with Dame and CJ. Crunch time minutes.

When Shabazz Napier went to bed last night he could not have dreamed of this game. He has made a statement to his teammates, his coach and to the NBA. He belongs and needs a chance to prove himself in this league. Bazz is shooting 60% from the field and 56% from deep for the season. He has increased his aggressiveness at both ends of the court.

What does the short-term future hold for Napier? He will certainly get steady minutes, even if it means that Stotts will utilize the 3 little guard offense on other teams. Unlike other reserves he at least controls some of his fate because he has the ball in his hands. Does he stay hot or fall back to Earth? He is replacing Pat as the feel-good story of the season.

2 WINS IN A ROW! PORTLAND IS BACK ON TRACK! False. Winning is always good. Coming back from a big early hole is important. Orlando is playing way better than everyone projected before the season. So they were a threat.

But there are some games that are almost pre-ordained by the schedule. The Blazers are well rested as they come to the end of a long home stand. The Magic were on the 4th and final game of a tough western road trip. Take Portland's usual home court edge and double it. Portland had a double digit schedule advantage before this game even tipped off. They Portland came out sluggish on offense and allowed the Magic to get off to a red-hot start.

The good news for Portland tonight was that Terry Stotts was a evil genius, tinkering with the line-up until he found some winning cobinations. The bad news was that he had to. As joyous as Swanigan's first start was against Denver, it was surprising that tonight's start for the rookie was so dismal. Harkless can dunk the ball. But right now he has no feel for any other type of offense. Do you know what the best combination will ultimately be for starters at the 3 and the 4? Will a healthy Aminu be the answer? Pat, and ET, and Napier have provided moments this season. Portland needs to find someone who consistently performs.

Here is what Shabazz showed tonight: Dame and CJ are that much more lethal when they have a weak-side outlet who can bury an open 3. When that exists, Portland's offense has a relief valve. When it doesn't exist, life gets much harder for Lillard and McCollum.

Here are a few other concerns:

Turner is doing wonders from the mid-range, even if he was cool tonight. ET should adopt the Shaun Livingstone model and NEVER shoot a 3 pointer again. His shot is not built for that range.

Nurk was given every chance to take over this game, but was rushing shots and tossing the ball at the rim against defenders he should have dominated.

Pat C. is coming back to the norm. After being one of the surprises of the early season in October (9.3 ppg on 48% from behind the arc) he is down to 3.8 ppg on 27% from deep in November. Unfortunately he may be who we thought he was.

Portland won this game for one simple reason: the shot well on their 3's. The Magic have been among the league leaders in both percentage and the number of shots from deep. But after a hot start, they finished an adequate 11-29 for 38%. The Blazers were a hot 14-27 (52%) from behind the arc, with Dame, CJ and Napier going 14-22. Portland should never lose a game when they shoot like that.

MAGIC UNMASKED: ARE THEY GOOD, GOING TO BE GOOD, OR WHAT? Orlando keeps getting to draft high in the lottery, so they have had numerous chances to add good to great pieces. Aaron Gordon has been shooting great; tonight he looked like Blake-lite, and had little impact on the game. Fournier had a solid game and may be the only player on that roster who could be a star. Vucevic was what he always is: enticing but ultimately disappointing. Payton was dominant early, but his 2nd half play was as ugly as his hair. Didn't Terrance Ross used to have promise? Jonathon Simmons may be one of the rare players who breaks free from the Spurs and looks impressive. He was solid tonight. Orlando is improved, but they look like a franchise with a ceiling of an 8th seed in the East.

FINAL GRADE: There were some encouraging signs: Dame finally shooting well. CJ playing aggressive (dare I say ferocious) defense at times. Vonleh continued to snatch tough rebounds. Lillard played with an all-around force, grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing 7 dimes and fighting over and through screens more than usual. Portland and the Magic tied in rebounding at 41 apiece. This was far from Portland's best performance of the season, but it was important to finish the home stand strong. Expect to see Terry Stotts continue to tinker with the line-up and combinations going forward. A successful home and home against the Kings would give Portland a solid record as they head out on the road next week. But there are still questions to be answered. B-