Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Blazers 134, Bobcats 104The ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2014-01-03T01:52:04-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/50327792014-01-03T01:52:04-08:002014-01-03T01:52:04-08:00Media Row Report: Blazers 134, Bobcats 104
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<p>The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 134-104, at the Moda Center on Thursday, improving their record to 26-7.</p> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 134-104, at the Moda Center on Thursday, improving their record to 26-7.</p>
<p>It's been nearly two years since a close loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game swung by a controversial goaltending call on LaMarcus Aldridge, more or less derailed the Blazers' 2011-12 season. It was a memorable turning point that saw a 14-10 start morph into a 14-28 finish, and the locker room after that game was a bitter funeral, rare in the degree to which emotions were left unchecked. This week, Aldridge agreed that Portland's victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday was its <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/31/5262648/nba-tv-blazers-f-lamarcus-aldridge-says-win-over-thunder-was-most" target="_blank">most impressive of this season</a>, and the carry-over effect from that win sure looked like the inverse, the reverse, the opposite and the upside-down of that rough defeat from two seasons back.</p>
<p>What gave it away that this group is sitting on cloud nine after a hard-fought, improbable and cherished road win over a division rival? Maybe it was the <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/31/5262496/final-portland-shocks-oklahoma-city-98-94" target="_blank">wide smiles on the photographs</a> from the flight home. Maybe it was a 39-point, no-mercy first quarter against the reeling Charlotte Bobcats in their first game since Tuesday. Maybe it was Thursday's record-setting shooting performance from beyond the arc. Maybe it was Wesley Matthews suggesting that the Blazers were taking their defense so seriously that they wanted to pitch a shutout against the Bobcats. Maybe it was Meyers Leonard getting in a shoulder-dusting dig when reflecting on the win at Chesapeake Energy Arena.</p>
<p>"[Losing to the Thunder] would have been a long flight home, a spoiled New Year, [but] we got it done," Leonard told Blazersedge. "You're talking about beating one of, if not the best team in the West right now. Other than us."</p>
<p>Or maybe it was the introduction of the best Blazers meme in years, revealed by <b>Bruce Ely</b>, eagle-eyed photographer for <b>The Oregonian</b>.</p>
<p>"I believe Thomas Robinson is yelling 'lunch meat' every time Aldridge touches the ball against Josh McRoberts," Ely <a href="https://twitter.com/bruceely/status/418945065294114816" target="_blank">reported on Twitter</a> from his baseline spot.</p>
<p>Lunch meat, it turns out, is exactly what Robinson was yelling.</p>
<p>"Lunch meat," Robinson explained to Blazersedge, smiling. "Whatchu do when you got some lunch meat? You eat it. Exactly! Whenever someone [is guarding Aldridge], he's always eating. He's L.A. Whenever somebody on him, he eat him. Lunch meat. That's how it is."</p>
<p>Post defenders are being reduced to nothing more than lifeless strips of bologna, waiting to be consumed.</p>
<p>"There's no one that can really stop him one-on-one on the block, let alone anywhere on the court," Leonard told Blazersedge. "L.A. is so skilled. It basically just means that L.A. is about to get a bucket. He's eating."</p>
<p>Even better, the "lunch meat" cry -- which almost amounts to celebratory pity, if such a thing exists -- is being heard loud and clear on the court.</p>
<p>"It means the guy can't guard me," Aldridge sheepishly told Blazersedge. "That I'm going to score at will. It's not that simple when I'm doing it. They say it looks that easy sometimes. It's fine, but I'm not going to get into it, I'm not going to say it myself."</p>
<p>I've heard pick-up players shout out "knockdown" and "buckets" and "all day" and "money" and "butter" and a host of other things when making shots over the years, but "lunch meat" tops them all. If you don't turn to your vanquished opponent at your next park or rec league game and shout some variation of "Lunchables! What!" then there's something wrong with you.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3801443/lamarcus-alriddge-lunch-meat.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Lamarcus-alriddge-lunch-meat_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3801443/lamarcus-alriddge-lunch-meat_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1388736918250"></p>
<p>In any case, Charlotte's defense was more of an all-you-can-eat buffet, as the Bobcats elected to send extra attention to Aldridge, who posted 10 points (on 5-for-13 shooting) and 15 rebounds in 28 minutes. That decision simply opened the floodgates and they never closed. Portland hit its first seven three-pointers, Matthews (25 points on 8-for-11 shooting) and Damian Lillard (24 points on 9-for-13 shooting) combined to shoot 11-for-12 from deep on the night, and this game was over, for all intents and purposes, after about four minutes. When all was said and done, six Blazers had hit double figures and Portland had tallied its second-highest point total of the season.</p>
<p>"I don't feel like we were ready to play," Bobcats forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, who scored a team-high 20 points (on 6-for-8 shooting), admitted afterwards. "We have to do some soul-searching to turn this around."</p>
<p>This one went down as one of the very easiest wins of Portland's year, leaving plenty of garbage time minutes for the seldom-used deep reserves. Still, the Blazers looked to find ways to motivate themselves -- games within games -- from start to finish.</p>
<p>"Everybody that got scored on tonight was mad about it," Matthews told Blazersedge, and the Blazers could be seen going right back at Douglas-Roberts after he scored on multiple occasions. "We know we can score, we know we can get hot like this, it's our defense that has to take us over the hump."</p>
<p>The Blazers also took the unusual step of pressing the Bobcats late in the game, even while holding a 31-point lead and with the benches emptied.</p>
<p>"They playoffs are in three months," reasoned Nicolas Batum, who posted eight points (on 3-for-6 shooting), seven rebounds and seven assists. "When you think about it, it's going to come quick. We've got to work on our game right now if we want to be ready."</p>
<p>All 13 active Blazers saw time on Thursday, including Robinson, who hadn't appeared in a game since Dec. 18, when Leonard took his spot in the rotation.The second-year forward scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in eight minutes, and he opened up a bit about recent events.</p>
<p>"Coach benched me because he felt like I wasn't moving the ball," Robinson told Blazersedge. "Actually, playing basketball is a learning process for me. Getting the reads. I'm a good player, I just want to play. That's all."</p>
<p>Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters in December that he was opting for Leonard over Robinson because <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/22/5234346/media-row-report-blazers-110-pelicans-107" target="_blank">Leonard offered better floor-spacing on offense</a>. As noted here, <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/23/5239294/why-was-blazers-f-thomas-robinson-benched" target="_blank">Portland's lineups weren't performing very well</a> with Robinson in the mix, and he holds the team's third-highest usage rate, behind only Aldridge and Lillard. In pre-game comments Thursday, Stotts acknowledged that perhaps he did a "disservice" to Leonard by focusing so much on the offensive end, as he was also liking what Leonard provided defensively.</p>
<p>"[I was benched for] multiple reasons," Robinson continued, hesitating to give additional specifics. "I wasn't playing at the highest level. It doesn't matter why [Stotts] benched me. It was a coach's decision and I respect it. I just want my name to get called again. ... I can't really go over [why], that's really up to coach to explain if he wants to. I just want the opportunity to get out there because I can help this team. ... I definitely get [my role]. It's about waiting for my next time."</p>
<p>That time could come again soon with five straight games against sub-.500 teams over the next 12 days. It could come again if Portland keeps playing this type of dominant, two-way basketball that included an elusive strong start and a steady burn throughout, the type of play that leaves everyone in a jokey, world-conquering mood afterwards.</p>
<p>The early giggles might have been centered on McRoberts and others stuck with the unenviable task of defending Aldridge during this, his career year, but the night's final satisfaction landed back on the team's outside shooting, which looked ripped straight from the Three-Point Shootout. After hitting 21 threes against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 14, the Blazers did it again for the second time in less than a month, thereby becoming the first NBA team to hit 20+ three-pointers in a game twice during the same season.</p>
<p>"I like being part of history," Stotts said. "I think that's pretty cool."</p>
<p>"I'm always happy to be part of history, when it's good history," Matthews added.</p>
<p><b><u>Random Game Notes</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li>The crowd was announced as a sellout at 20,014. It was very close to full. Lots of people left early given the score.</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://youtu.be/4W2mJhnypLE">Here's a video</a> of all of Portland's three-points via YouTube user <b>portlandtrailblazers</b>.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4W2mJhnypLE" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<ul>
<li>Highlight fiends had to like this <a target="_blank" href="http://youtu.be/qWU5lmFPr4k">ultra-rare ankle-breaking/posterizing combination</a> from Mo Williams and Robin Lopez.</li>
<li>Lowlight fiends had to enjoy the attempted alley-oop from Meyers Leonard to Thomas Robinson. Almost.</li>
<li>A whole bunch of signs: One had a pack of Rolos with Robin Lopez featured, "#FreeFreeland," "This is our year," "My grandma loves Batum," "New Year's Resolution: Kiss a Blazer Dancer," "New Year's Resolution: Portland NBA championship," "Put Crabbe In," "Weatherman Bruce Sussman says it's raining 3s," "We flew from Germany," "How fun is this?"</li>
<li>The best sign of the night was from a young boy: "I have a concussion."</li>
<li>The crowd was yelling so loudly for Leonard to shoot a three-pointer near the end of the game that he double-checked the shot clock to make sure he wasn't going nuts. He did launch one in the game's final minute and he felt bad about it. "That's just something you can't do. It's frustrating I'm not making them. I'm 0-for-2 tonight, 0-for-4 on the season, continue to work in practice. Try to get up threes a little quicker, far as it coming off my hand. I have confidence I can make them. Obviously in a game like this it's easier for me to feel a little more relaxed and confident. If we're playing in OKC and I get the ball on the three-point line, I'm going to swing it."</li>
<li>More from Leonard, who had eight points (on 4-for-7 shooting) and 10 rebounds, on the plane ride back from Oklahoma City: "Plane ride was great. All the guys were excited, happy we got the win. I think we have great team chemistry on and off the court. Every team I've been on -- I'll be the first to admit it -- there's kind of these guys hang out, these guys hang out, cliques, on this team everyone likes each other. We really get along. That translates on the court, it really does."</li>
<li>Nicolas Batum on Portland's three-point shooting: "That's who we are. It's not luck. We're good shooters."</li>
<li>Wesley Matthews to <b>Casey Holdahl</b> of <b>Blazers.com</b>: "I'm not going to lie to you, I felt on when I woke up from my nap today. I'm not going to lie to you. It's contagious -- making shots is contagious."</li>
<li>More Matthews: "When we get stops, we're a dangerous team. Anybody can bring it up the court, it's hard to set up on us, hard to load up, double team, we can find mismatches. When that ball is flying around the perimeter, any one of us can get hot."</li>
<li>New Orleans Pelicans coach (and former Blazers assistant coach) Monty Williams had a copy of "Look Again 52," one of his spiritual books, delivered to each of the Blazers. The book's <b>Amazon.com</b> page is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Scripture-Every-Each/dp/0976716186/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388731808&sr=1-5&tag=sbnation-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">right here if you're interested</a>. </li>
<li>There was <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge/status/418910161604841472/photo/1">an absolutely unbelievable skyline</a> over the river before the game.</li>
<li>Bobcats assistant Patrick Ewing and Jerome Kersey briefly caught up in the tunnel before the game.</li>
<li>Portland again achieved third-quarter McMuffins and there were some scattered "Cha-Lu-Pa" chants before it happened. No McDonald's chants or cheering prompts on the scoreboard.</li>
<li>"Lunch Meat" is probably my favorite phrase since "Respect these years."</li>
<li>In case you missed it, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268290/blazers-coach-terry-stotts-discusses-whats-next-for-rookie-g-cj">here's what Stotts had to say</a> about the next steps for rookie guard CJ McCollum as he returns to the court.</li>
<li>Stotts pre-game on the decision to go with Leonard: "Meyers has done well. I did a disservice. ... [Spacing] the court was part of the reason. He's done a really good job defensively. Our defensive numbers had to improve, particularly off the bench. When he's been on the floor, whether it's because of him or not, we've done well on the court. I think he's pursuing rebounds better, he's deterring shots better at the rim, he's making a second effort better. I really like the growth that he's had. ... [It was a disservice] because I emphasized the offense rather what he can bring defensively. The truth was that we needed offense and defense off the bench. I may have overstated the offensive impact and understated the defensive impact."</li>
<li>Stotts when asked pre-game about Robinson's benching: "When Joel [Freeland] won minutes, it was about Joel. Right now, it's about Meyers. There's no point in talking about what a guy was or wasn't doing. It was a chance for Meyers to play. I wanted to see if that would improve -- I think Meyers has done a nice job with his minutes."</li>
<li>Stotts played his college basketball at Oklahoma and he was excited that the school's football team had triumphed over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, as you will see below.</li>
<li>Thanks to everyone that has emailed or messaged in saying that they have or will donate to Blazersedge Night. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/23/5240938/blazers-edge-to-send-1000-underprivileged-kids-to-trail-blazers-game">Details here</a>. Please give it a look.</li>
</ul>
<p><b><u>Terry Stotts' Post-Game Comments</u></b></p>
<p><b>Opening comment</b></p>
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<p>How about those Sooners!</p>
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<p><b>Ask Mo Williams what he thinks about the Sooners</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I'll ask him later.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Opening comments</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Other than the Sooners -- it was a good game obviously. We look fresh. Played well at both ends of the court. Not a lot to say. We caught a team on a back-to-back. More than anything else, we passed the ball really well, guys were feeling it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Almost 40 points in the first quarter</b></p>
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<p>I really liked our approach coming into the game as far as the starters just really set the tone with their defense, with the ball movement. I just thought our ball movement led to good shots and we've got good shooters.</p>
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<p><b>Nice to have a blowout win?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Yes. It's always good to get a win like this. Guys on the bench can get some minutes, starters can get some rest. You've got to enjoy these because they don't come often.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Three-point record, on your mind?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I knew about it last time. Last time, I didn't know it. I knew about it, I knew our record, I knew the NBA record, I didn't want to get caught up in that. If we fell into it, that's great. I felt like the guys played the fourth quarter the right way, they were aggressive, they moved the ball, defensively they played hard. I think it's bad karma to go out and do that. I think it's important for those guys to keep playing.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>First team to hit 20+ threes in a game twice in the same season</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We're going to shoot threes and we're going to shoot them well. We win in Oklahoma City shooting 24 percent from threes. They will come and go. We're going to make our percentages because we have a lot of good shooters and we pass the ball well. I like being part of history, I think that's pretty cool. I didn't know about that until [team staffer] told me that. It's good to be a part of history and do something that hasn't been done before.</p>
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<p><b>Three-point attempt for LaMarcus Aldridge at end of first half</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I drew up a bad play. They defended it well. It was a low clock.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Meyers Leonard</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think he's looking more and more confident. I think he's going after rebounds better. I really wasn't too concerned about him offensively about him making shots and knowing the offense. He just looks more comfortable and confident.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Wesley Matthews and Damian Lillard combined for 11-for-12 on threes</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I won't go into history but when you get games going like that, you're going to have games like that. That first quarter, first half, the game was flowing. I've said this a few time: I'm a big believer in confidence at the offensive end and we were shooting with confidence.</p>
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<p><b>Defensive communication</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Oklahoma City was excellent. Tonight they made some shots at the end but I thought we had a very good defensive game even though we probably didn't end up with good defensive numbers. Since the first half in New Orleans where we didn't play very well defensively, the second half of New Orleans, Oklahoma City and tonight we have ramped our defense back up.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Turning point for defense?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think it was just collectively, we all more of a commitment. Oklahoma City -- when the shots aren't falling, to have a gritty win like that, winning it with defense, reinforces what we can do.</p>
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<p>-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/blazersedge">Twitter</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/3/5268168/media-row-report-blazers-134-bobcats-104Ben Golliver2014-01-02T23:20:50-08:002014-01-02T23:20:50-08:00Three-Pointers Drown Bobcats
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Portland Trail Blazers dropped 21 three-pointers on the heads of the Charlotte Bobcats on their way to a blowout victory, their 26th win of the season.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> saw a few bobcats prowling their neighborhood on Thursday night. They didn't panic. They just did what any frontier-minded Pacific Northwest citizen would do, shooting at them repeatedly until they went away. The result was a 134-104 victory in which the Blazers tied their season (and franchise) record for three-pointers made, hitting 21 of 33 from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>For once there's not much to this game that the final score doesn't tell you. If Charlotte's defense were a sock even your grandma wouldn't bother darning it. She'd chuck it out, head to the mercantile, and get material to make a new one. The Blazers shot 58%, 64% from distance, running plays just like they're drawn up in practice. The night recalled the December 14th victory in Philadelphia, the other game in which the opposing defense just wouldn't (or couldn't) react to Portland's attack. The Blazers scored 39 in the first period and never looked back, reaching 30+ points in every quarter thereafter.</p>
<p>Charlotte's offense wasn't awful; it just wasn't adequate to the job at hand. <span>Al Jefferson</span>, <span>Chris Douglas-Roberts</span>, and <span>Gerald Henderson</span> all found success but for the most part their team got stuck shooting jumpers. Everybody knows that you never get into a land war in Asia, you never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and you never, ever get into a jump-shooting battle with the Portland Trail Blazers. Charlotte all but waved the white flag when they started firing from mid-range, never cutting Portland's lead closer than a dozen and spending most of the night down 20+.</p>
<p>The Blazers got scoring from every source possible save the foul line and forced turnovers. They hit 54 field goals, dished 34 assists, doubled up the 'Cats 12-6 on the offensive glass, and even ended up only 6 points behind in the paint, 36-42. It was a laugher.</p>
<p>Charlotte isn't a horrible team. They're just stocked with players you'd like to see coming off of Portland's bench right now and the one guy who definitely exceeds that description--Kemba Walker--went 2-10 for 6 points and 3 assists. But if you want to amuse yourself and generate some post-game discussion after a mostly-perfunctory win, do what I did during the game and identify the Charlotte players you'd like to trade for to bolster the Blazers roster if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> ended up selling at a reasonable price of a couple young guys.</p>
<p><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> took only 13 shots tonight but who could fault him for that on a night when his teammates were making it rain 3's like counterfeiters at a strip club? The 13 attempts tied for team high in any case. Aldridge only scored 10 but he corralled 15 rebounds. The latter were far more important to Portland's separation than the former.</p>
<p><span>Damian Lillard</span> matched Aldridge with 13 shots but he hit 9 of them, 6 of them triples on a perfect 6-6 night from range. From the opening moments of this game the Blazers looked totally comfortable against the Charlotte defense. Totally comfortable is a <i>bad</i> place to leave Lillard if you're the opponent. Lillard scored 24 and dished 7 assists.</p>
<p><span>Nicolas Batum</span> equaled those 7 assists, added 6 rebounds, and tossed in 8 points for good measure. Too bad he didn't have 5 steals or he would have gotten the small straight.</p>
<p><span>Wesley Matthews</span> led the team with 25 points. The nifty thing about that: he attempted only 11 shots. That's a pretty impressive point-per-shot ratio. A 5-6 clip from the arc and 4 of 5 free throws made helped out with that.</p>
<p><span>Robin Lopez</span> had 5 rebounds but he was guarding Al Jefferson across the court and it's not like Aldridge left him any. At the beginning of the second half the Bobcats tried to change their fortunes by guarding everybody else but Lopez, leaving him in loose single coverage or alone. He made them pay double-time with 7-10 shots and 14 points. The strategy didn't exactly work.</p>
<p>As you might suspect in a huge blowout, Portland's bench players got plenty of run tonight. <span>Mo Williams</span> led the charge with 15 points and 10 assists in 21 minutes. Mo likes teams that can't play defense.</p>
<p><span>Meyers Leonard</span> played 20 minutes and hit an array of jump shots, shooting 4-7 but missing two three-pointers which the crowd and the defense were both egging him on to take. He had 10 rebounds as well.</p>
<p><span>Dorell Wright</span> played free and easy in this game, looking to get in some scoring opportunities. He hit 2-5 triples for 6 points in 16 minutes. Wright seems a little antsy lately, as if he's pushing when he gets on the court. It's not awful but you can tell that he's not in the same groove as his teammates.</p>
<p><span>Joel Freeland</span> went for 6 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes of play.</p>
<p><span>Will Barton</span> was the best of the rest, looking comfortable handling the ball and taking his shot. He's far more poised on the attack now than he was last year. Barton scored 10 points in 9 minutes, hitting 4-5 shots including both triples he attempted.</p>
<p><span>Allen Crabbe</span> tried to put Portland over the record but hit only 1 of his 3 long-ball attempts for 3 points in 7 minutes.</p>
<p><span>Thomas Robinson</span> reminded us what a real rebounder looks like, gobbling up 5 in 9 minutes of play.</p>
<p><span>Earl Watson</span> had an assist in 7 minutes. He sees the floor occasionally but with young guards beside him during all of those minutes he barely gets to touch the ball.</p>
<p>Closing Thought: Watching the starters tonight it struck me that one of the beautiful things about this offense is that 99% of the time the guy touching the ball is in scoring position. The Blazers move the rock but it almost never stops anywhere outside a threat zone. The defense never gets to relax and on nights like this one where everything goes in, it's just a torrent.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489353" target="_blank">Boxscore</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268532/final-blazers-obliterate-the-bobcats-134-104" target="_blank">Timmay's Instant Recap</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.rufusonfire.com/">Rufus on Fire</a> will be chagrined that their team was not.</p>
<p>Up Next: A rematch with the 76'ers on Saturday. Will we see the three-point record threatened again?</p>
<p>--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5269058/portland-trail-blazers-vs-charlotte-bobcats-three-point-recordDave Deckard2014-01-02T21:12:49-08:002014-01-02T21:12:49-08:00Final: Blazers Obliterate the Bobcats, 134-104
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Portland Trail Blazers jumped on the Charlotte Bobcats from the opening tip, draining a barrel full of three-pointers and pulling away for an easy win. </p> <p>The Blazers featured an amazing night from their red hot and rolling backcourt. Damian Lillard hit all 6 of his three-pointers to finish with 24 points and 7 assists. Wesley Matthews qualified as the "less hot" starting guard, only hitting 5 of his 6 three-pointers for 25 points. LaMarcus Aldridge had a comparatively-quiet 10 points and 15 rebounds, while Robin Lopez finished with 14 points and Nicolas Batum added 8 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Mo Williams quietly took care of business, with 15 points and 10 assists.</p>
<p>Allen Crabbe finished the night with a three-pointer, giving the team 21 overall for the night.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489353">Box Score</a></p>
<p><b>First Quarter:</b> The Blazers punched in the three-point line cheat codes to open the game. Here were the three-point field goals made in succession: Wesley. Wesley. Nic. Damian. Nic. Damian. Mo. Did I mention there were no misses? By the time Portland finally missed a three-pointer, they led by 20. Charlotte never knew what hit them.</p>
<p><b>Portland 39, Charlotte 21.</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>On pace to score 156.<br>by <b>stevens</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Second Quarter:</b> Charlotte tried to make a run, but the Blazer bench held them back. In a classic moment, Mo Williams stole the ball, and on a 3-on-1 break, set up Meyers with a perfect alley-oop. The crowd exploded and Charlotte called timeout. Portland responded with two more Lillard three-pointers for a 24 point lead, and 55 points in 17 minutes.</p>
<p><b>Portland 70, Charlotte 49</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>MEYERS LEONARD!!! My first GDT comment since signing up for an account a season ago<br>by <b>kpay10 </b>(Welcome!)</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Third Quarter:</b> Charlotte made a run and turned up the defensive intensity. In response, the Blazers, wait for it, bombed them into submission from downtown. Charlotte made another run. The Blazers responded with a Lopez dunk, a Lillard dunk, and a Damian torpedo from deep downtown. Charlotte sighed and took another timeout, down 25. They came out inspired, scoring 8 straight points to pull within 17, but Portland scored 7 in response. They ended the quarter with a transition jumper for Aldridge, to reach the century mark at the buzzer.</p>
<p><b>Portland 100, Charlotte 77</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>We should probably start reporting our scores in scientific notation.<br>by <b>Cablinasian </b>(Portland 1 x 10<sup>2</sup>, Charlotte 7.7 x 10<sup>1</sup>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Fourth Quarter:</b> The Blazers quickly pushed the lead to 32, and suddenly Earl Watson, Will Barton and Allen Crabbe checked in. Seemingly wanting to be part of the in-crowd, Barton immediately swished a three. From there, it was a little sloppy, to be generous. In a "highlight", the Blazers all got out on the break... but forgot to pick up the basketball, giving Charlotte a layup. But they buckled down with a couple nice plays down the stretch, with the happy Blazer starters celebrating on the bench. It was an easy, relaxing win after a rough stretch of games.</p>
<p><b>What's Next:</b></p>
<p>A day of rest at home for the Blazers, who are back in action Saturday night against Philadelphia, who is in the midst fo a big road trip. Stay tuned tonight, as Dave and Ben will have lots of coverage of this game. -- Tim</p>
<p><b>Gameday Thread Comments of the Night!</b></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<thead><tr>
<th width="60"># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KingWes">KingWes</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207372845">Most ball players are better players than their dads, Steph curry > dell curry, Kobe Bryant > joe Bryant, Lebron James > Delonte West</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>15</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kpay10">kpay10</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207359279">MEYERS LEONARD!!!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SlimSteve">SlimSteve</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207374125">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PortlandPhil">PortlandPhil</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207352163">Someone once said that when the Blazers make 3's, they are unbeatable, and when they don't they win anyway.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Cablinasian">Cablinasian</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207381147">We should probably start reporting our scores in scientific notation.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SlickRick1987">SlickRick1987</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207381365">1 x 10^2</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ZomB">ZomB</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207372483">New Chinese Zodiac has 2014 as 'The Year of the Blazer'!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Roadblazer">Roadblazer</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207370381">I just stopped in to say "wow"</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AR-15">AR-15</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207370219">uggh</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ParticleAccelerator">ParticleAccelerator</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207375279">New RoLo nickname courtesy of my Mom</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CroRupt">CroRupt</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207372185">haha, yeah!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/occassia">occassia</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207320387">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JP503">JP503</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207320855">Go Trail Blazers!!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KingWes">KingWes</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207378953">Damian Lillard is 7 for 6 from three point range. That's how hot he is.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BLAZErs1629">BLAZErs1629</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207370419">so i nailed it?...</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Respect_these_years">Respect_these_years</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207328277">Go Portland Trail Blazers!!!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Timmay!">Timmay!</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207351421">This team's offense is so fun to watch.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AR-15">AR-15</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207370007">WE WANT CRABBE!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/KingWes">KingWes</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207356493">Mo Williams has the blazers only 3 point miss of 2014</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Respect_these_years">Respect_these_years</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207325041">Please pay attention to the ascending exclamation point count at the end of each proclamation</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AR-15">AR-15</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207371239">We will score</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ParticleAccelerator">ParticleAccelerator</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207356539">Tell 'em don't be scared!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/occassia">occassia</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers/in/5032779#207337663">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PortlandPhil">PortlandPhil</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5032779#207372275">where?</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268532/final-blazers-obliterate-the-bobcats-134-104Timmay!2014-01-02T20:06:04-08:002014-01-02T20:06:04-08:00CHAT: Blazers Up Big and Raining Three's!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XA5EHi10F5ZVx_J4C2y32k5bOfg=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26168077/20140102_hcs_sy4_112.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="m-entry__body">
<p>Welcome to the Gameday Open Thread at Blazer’s Edge! This is a place to hang out and enjoy tonight’s festivities with your fellow fans. Treat it as if you’re watching a game at the local watering hole, but hopefully without the language. Expect some disagreements, and a fair amount of changing emotions. But we'll get through it together.</p>
<div class="read-more">Watch: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/leaguepass/">NBA League Pass</a><b> CSN NW</b><br> Listen: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html">NBA Audio League Pass</a> <b>620am</b><br> Links: <a href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/blazers.pdf" target="new">Media Notes</a> <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/10/29/5044302/the-2013-guide-to-watching-the-blazers-on-tv-and-online" target="new">Viewing Guide</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="new">Updates on Twitter</a>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>The usual Gameday Thread rules apply:</p>
<p>1. No swearing<br>2. No pictures<br>3. No discussion of unlicensed Internet streaming<br>4. Be cool to each other!</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
</div>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5268744/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazers-second-halfTimmay!2014-01-02T17:30:04-08:002014-01-02T17:30:04-08:00CHAT: Blazers Kick Off 2014 Vs. the Bobcats!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QRUhDZwtJdEsu97VHUtmYjJydsU=/0x87:2318x1632/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26111265/20121203_jla_as1_239.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="m-entry__body">
<p>Welcome to the Gameday Open Thread at Blazer’s Edge! This is a place to hang out and enjoy tonight’s festivities with your fellow fans. Treat it as if you’re watching a game at the local watering hole, but hopefully without the language. Expect some disagreements, and a fair amount of changing emotions. But we'll get through it together.</p>
<div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>7:10pm</b><br> Watch: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/leaguepass/">NBA League Pass</a><b> CSN NW</b><br> Listen: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html">NBA Audio League Pass</a> <b>620am</b><br> Links: <a href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/blazers.pdf" target="new">Media Notes</a> <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/10/29/5044302/the-2013-guide-to-watching-the-blazers-on-tv-and-online" target="new">Viewing Guide</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="new">Updates on Twitter</a>
</div>
<p>-----------------</p>
<div class="m-entry__body">
<b>Injury Updates:</b> None yet, check here for further updates.<br>
</div>
<div class="m-entry__body"><br></div>
<p>-----------------</p>
<p>The usual Gameday Thread rules apply:</p>
<p>1. No swearing<br>2. No pictures<br>3. No discussion of unlicensed Internet streaming<br>4. Be cool to each other!</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
</div>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/2/5265320/gameday-thread-bobcats-vs-blazersTimmay!