FanPost

Overreacting to Game #66: Portland 121, Phoenix 105

FRESH LEGS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. True. I was critical of Terry Stotts' misuse of the rotation Friday and the detrimental impact on Saturday's loss to the Kings. We saw tonight what a difference 2 days off makes on this roster. Portland came out firing from the start, and the oldest veterans led the way. Melo had some bounce to his game. Ariza was his usual pesky self on defense, then added a season high 22 points as well. Anthony had 12 first quarter points and ended up with 21 on 9-16 shooting, with 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Trevor shot 5-8 from deep (love those corner 3's!) and grabbed 6 boards and added a steal and a block. When both forwards are producing, Portland's starting line-up can pretty much win the game on their own. Every starter had at least 16 points, and the starting 5 scored 106 points for the game, more than the Suns' whole roster.

Portland's defense was more active tonight (if not always effective). 9 blocks and 9 steals. Holding Phoenix to only 40% shooting and 34% from behind the arc. Ariza and others harassed Booker into an inefficient 9-25 for the game.

It is not that Portland did not try and win on Saturday. You can give all of the effort you want, but when your body is worn down, players find themselves physically unable to perform. The team was mired in slow motion in the loss. Tonight, Portland brought energy and effort from the start. While every W is a necessity, Portland has to resist the urge to use up their players chasing unwinnable games. Dame was reinserted extremely early in the 4th; Stotts was not going to let this game get away. Lillard ended up playing 40 minutes, which is more than you would like. But he was instrumental in holding the Suns off and growing the lead.

THIS WAS A LOTTERY V LOTTERY GAME. True. By this time of the year, teams are usually who we think they are. Good teams don't always win, but very good teams give themselves the opportunity to compete night after night. But when you watch 2 teams go at it this late in the season, you see the things that make them good. Even when they miss shots, you can watch the team run good offense. The other team may score, but good teams play consistent excellent defense.

Not this game. When teams were hitting shots, they looked good. Duh. But when either team was missing, each team looked truly lost. This was not a dazzling display of excellence which should be a springboard to continued success. Portland followed their superb 36 point opening quarter with a clunker 18 point performance in the 2nd period. Portland scrambled better on D, but Phoenix missed a host of shots that they were sinking on Friday.

The Suns bench only had 2 players score, with Carter and Diallo each contributing 8 points. Even with Mario continuing his stretch of semi-competent play with 8 points on 3-3 shooting (Thank you for the banked 3). Simons Added 5, but Trent went scoreless on 5 shots (including a spin, spin again fadeaway jumper that had no chance) and the whole bench totaled only 15. Stotts had no choice but to work his starters extra to secure this home win over a weak opponent. It is a sad reflection on the NBA Western conference that these teams still have faint hopes of sneaking into the play-offs.

SOME TEAMS SEEM DOOMED TO REMAINING MEDIOCRE. True. Monty Williams is a very decent guy and a good coach. And Phoenix beat Milwaukee (without Giannis) as well as their win Friday over Portland. But is there anything about their roster that makes you feel that they are knocking on the door of the play-offs next season? Booker is a superb scorer and has improved as a play-maker. He is basically a taller CJ. Booker poured in 29 points, but it took 25 shots to get there. Saric had the type of night that was expected when he first game over from Europe (24 and 11). But he is equally likely to have a game where he disappears. Rubio is Rubio, a skilled player with a flawed offensive game. He has to make himself more of a scorer with this crew. Bridges is meh, and Baynes came crashing back to Earth with only 7 points on 3-14 shooting. There just does not seem to be enough to ever hope that Phoenix will emerge from the land of high lottery picks.

FINAL GRADE: Portland built their lead into double digits early in the 4th. In years past, that meant game over. Tonight you had to hold your breath and root for the clock. Lillard is not fully back into his pre-injury rhythm. But he nailed a couple of 3's late (he was 5-10) and looked much livelier than Saturday. CJ takes a whole series of shots that rival Melo's for degree of difficulty. But they go in. Portland shot 51% from the field and 49% from deep. Portland needs to ride a hot streak during this vital home stand. Thursday's game versus the Grizzlies will define the rest of the season. Veteran savvy v. youthful exuberance. Dame v. Ja. Gotta love it. B+