Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Blazers 112, Celtics 104The ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2014-01-12T03:02:28-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/50615632014-01-12T03:02:28-08:002014-01-12T03:02:28-08:00Media Row Report: Blazers 112, Celtics 104
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<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Spo</figcaption>
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<p>The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Boston Celtics, 112-104, at the Moda Center on Saturday, improving their record to 28-9.</p> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Boston Celtics, 112-104, at the Moda Center on Saturday, improving their record to 28-9.</p>
<p>Let's not give this one any more gravity than it deserves: this was a schedule annoyance, a three-hour work shift in the midst of an extended break, and nothing more. Saturday's contest stood as Portland's only game during a seven-day stretch and it came against a bottom-feeding Eastern Conference team that was on its fourth game in five nights, at the end of a long road trip, and mired in a lengthy losing streak. Those conditions made for a quick and dirty game that freed Boston to fly home and allowed Portland to hit the town.</p>
<p>Even so, the Blazers enjoyed this win with the looks of men who had stubbed their toes or spilled orange soda on their white carpets. The mostly angsty reaction resulted from the carbon copy nature of the game: like so many other recent performances, Portland faced an early deficit, lacked defensive intensity throughout the first half and committed some maddening turnovers before bailing itself out with an overwhelming second-half push against a lesser opponent.</p>
<p>"You try not to be disappointed by not playing as well as you wanted to," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "Offensively we were good when we needed to be. The stretch of games playing teams with a lesser record is apparently tough for us to get up for."</p>
<p>The same warts that popped up in recent losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings, and showed up in Wednesday's win over the Orlando Magic, were back again. Portland conceded 60 points and 62 percent shooting in the first half, as Boston's trio of guards -- Avery Bradley, Jordan Crawford and Jerryd Bayless -- got into the paint, hit some zany shots and did it all without really over-exerting themselves.</p>
<p>The only Portland player who seemed truly distressed by the ongoing defensive let-ups was Robin Lopez, who chose his words carefully but eventually got around to asking for more from his teammates.</p>
<p>"The issue is effort," Lopez told Blazersedge. "Sometimes I don't think everybody is giving enough on defense. We're not going for loose balls, things like that."</p>
<p>The second half started with two quick buckets from Portland's center, who finished with 15 points (on 5-for-13 shooting) and 13 rebounds, including nine offensive. Boston's lack of a true center was a deciding factor, once Portland decided to get a little more serious. The likes of Kris Humphries, Brandon Bass, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger strained and tried, but the disparity in length and wingspan between the teams made this a tipped scale kind of night. That shouldn't have come as a surprise: the Blazers rank No. 2 in offensive rebounding rate and the Celtics are a bottom-five team in defensive rebounding rate.</p>
<p>The defining sequence came early in the fourth quarter, when the Blazers registered three consecutive offensive rebounds on the same possession before LaMarcus Aldridge, who posted 21 points (on 8-for-15 shooting) and 13 rebounds, finally ended the play with a bucket. This might not have been as embarrassing as getting posterized by Blake Griffin, as Humphries was <a href="http://nba.si.com/2014/01/09/blake-griffin-kris-humphries-poster-dunk-clippers-celtics/" target="_blank">earlier this week</a>, but it was surely just as demoralizing.</p>
<p>"We don't emphasize [our offensive rebounding] but it's been a big part of our offense," Stotts said. "Robin does a really good job of pursuing balls. Obviously we had a height advantage. We didn't emphasize it, it just turned out that way. You take advantage of the strengths that you have."</p>
<p>Wesley Matthews, who finished with 18 points (on 5-for-12 shooting), and five rebounds added: "We have a big frontline between L.A. and Rolo. Whenever L.A. gets the ball, he's going to demand double teams. Occupies three people. When that shot goes up, it gives opportunities for [Nicolas Batum] and Robin to tap the ball out."</p>
<p>If there was anything to be learned from on this afterthought kind of night -- in which many of the players dressed quickly and headed on their merry ways -- it was the play of CJ McCollum, who scored 10 points (on 4-for-6 shooting) in 13 minutes. He combined with Mo Williams to provide five three-pointers off the bench, and he came out gunning, knocking in a right angle three shortly after checking in.</p>
<p>"When you get to see the ball go in the basket early on, it gives you confidence and helps a lot," McCollum told Blazersedge. "I was wide open for a catch-and-shoot opportunity and I wanted to be more aggressive [compared to Wednesday]. That's just an easy shot to make. A lot of guys in the NBA can make a catch-and-shoot three."</p>
<p>This wasn't a takeover performance from the rookie but his scoring made a difference on a night in which Portland's reserve bigs offered little. Joel Freeland and Thomas Robinson combined for just six points and six rebounds in 24 minutes, and the endgame sequence could have been hairy had McCollum failed to leave an imprint too.</p>
<p>"I haven't displayed my total game yet," he said afterwards. "It's still coming along. If you guys could see practice, you could see a different version of me. If I'm open, I'm going to take the shot, if I need to create, I'm going to do that. I'm going to take advantage of screens, if my number is called, you're going to see me being aggressive. Other times, I'm going to play a role. I can do some different things."</p>
<p>Asked for a tease of what we haven't been able to witness yet, McCollum smiled, and said only: "You'll see soon."</p>
<p>Stotts sounded thrilled by McCollum's play, which also included a nice floater in the lane, and he should be. Lillard played under 35 minutes for the second straight night, and that will be something to track here once Portland's competition stiffens. On the season, Lillard is down two minutes a night from his league-leading rookie year load, and the addition of McCollum potentially offers the chance to shave a few more minutes from his plate.</p>
<p>"[McCollum] was terrific," Stotts said. "He kept us afloat in the first half. He came in aggressive, he looked for his shots. ... He seemed like he was much more comfortable tonight than he was in his first game."</p>
<p>The playing time issue was raised by Lillard a few times during the offseason, but it's really been a non-subject so far this season. On Wednesday, he was asked if McCollum's addition might make his life easier, but he passed off the question rather than jumping on it like a worn down player would. There's no magic number when it comes to playing time, but 36 certainly sounds better than 38, and 34 sounds even better than 36, so long as the Williams/McCollum duo can approximate what Lillard brings to the table.</p>
<p>Although Stotts suggested that his team was playing down to the competition and Lopez was the only voice to really hammer on about the defensive intensity, others broached those subjects indirectly. To Lillard, the team's offensive success -- the ease with which the Blazers can put up 112 points, even on a "B" or "C" effort night -- has developed into a gift and a curse situation.</p>
<p>"I think the problem is we feel like we can win games [regardless]," Lillard told Blazersedge. "We've been down 20 points at home and on the road and we come back and have been able to win games. It's us having that confidence in ourselves, we allow ourselves to relax [early]."</p>
<p>Informed of Lopez's comments, and asked if he felt like he was individually letting up early in games or whether it was a team-wide issue, Lillard agreed that the required effort isn't always there.</p>
<p>"It's a team thing," Lillard told Blazersedge. "It might be me one possession, another guy the next. As a whole, we've got to be better to start games. ... Coverages are not tight enough, lack of communication, we're not getting from 'A' to B' fast enough, we're playing slow. Other teams come in [playing] in attack mode, playing fast, and we're a step slow. They get a lead on us."</p>
<p>The upside is that this team rarely panics when it falls behind, it rarely falls behind by so much that the game gets out of reach, and it rarely deviates from its offensive system regardless of the point spread. What that system does, often but not always, is chew up these Eastern Conference cupcakes Felton-style over the course of a 48-minute game. Even on a so-so night from Lillard, in which he finished with 15 points (on 5-for-15 shooting) and six assists, Portland's attack -- which included 10 three-pointers and 31 second-chance points -- left first-year Celtics coach Brad Stevens gushing.</p>
<p>"Their offense was just outstanding," the former Butler coach said. "We talked about the continuity of their system, and they know their reads inside and out. Especially when they have Williams and Lillard in. Gosh, their ability to put the ball on the floor. You've got to be cognizant of where your guys are because they score so well."</p>
<p>That impressed outside sentiment, however, was not shared inside the Blazers' locker room.</p>
<p>"I kind of like the mood," Matthews said. "We were excited by the win, but we weren't excited by how we got it. ... We'll take every single win every single way, [but] we demand more of ourselves."</p>
<p>The takeaway sensation was one of teenage procrastination: they're well aware of the issues, they're not totally sure how to solve them and they can't guarantee when they will be solved, but they're pretty confident that things will work out in the end. Anyway, there were other places to be, and the win had been secured, so the anger and the deep self-examination would need to come at some other, later date.</p>
<p>The fewest words and the cleanest exit were of greater immediate importance, and the simplest explanation did well to capture the state of the union.</p>
<p>"We gotta start the game at 7:00, not 8:00 or 8:30 every time," said Batum, before making his way towards an off day.</p>
<p><b><u>Random Game Notes</u></b></p>
<ul>
<li>The crowd was announced at 20,011 (a sellout). Lots of Celtics fans in attendance despite the team's rebuilding campaign.</li>
<li>Here are the game highlights via YouTube user <b>PortlandTrailBlazers</b>.</li>
</ul>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jBDDxKYtIoM?rel=0" height="281" width="500"></iframe></p>
<ul>
<li>Terry Stotts made a little production during his post-game press conference on Wednesday about how he wasn't going to commit one way or another when it came to handling Meyers Leonard and Thomas Robinson in his rotation. The sense after that game was that Robinson's fourth-quarter spark was going to be hard to ignore, and Robinson openly campaigned for more minutes in his post-game comments. </li>
<li>As it turns out, Robinson (two points and one rebounds in 10 minutes) was back in the rotation at the expense of Leonard (DNP-CD). This wasn't the smashing follow-up performance Robinson was hoping for, nor was it the type of impact play that LaMarcus Aldridge had encouraged in his post-game challenge of Robinson. Saturday wound up failing to provide any clarity regarding what will happen over the next few weeks/months between those two.</li>
<li>I don't think dumping Dorell Wright from the rotation has been any major loss but I wouldn't mind seeing some small ball orientations using him (or Nicolas Batum) at the four with three other shooters and either Lopez or Freeland in the middle. That might generate a Rockets-like vibe and make the most of the slashing/drive-and-kick games that Williams and McCollum possess. It's an offense-for-defense sacrifice, but isn't everything with this team? Just try it! Could be fun...</li>
<li>There was another jumbotron proposal and -- you won't believe it -- she said yes! The proposer was wearing a Damian Lillard jersey and the proposee was wearing a LaMarcus Aldridge jersey. 'Till death do they pick and pop. This woman was up there with the most excited proposal recipients we've seen. They will live happily ever after.</li>
<li>The halftime show was something called <a href="http://www.xpogo.com/" target="_blank">Xpogo</a>: extreme pogo stick jumping. To my surprise, Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans was not involved.</li>
<li>More Lopez on the team's effort: "It's effort and intensity. We need to start playing the first quarter like it's the third quarter. We've [addressed it] multiple times, it's just something we have to work at."</li>
<li>We heard a lot of "I don't knows" in response to questions about the slow starts. It was refreshing to hear Lopez air it out a little bit. Will it make a difference? We'll see...</li>
<li>Damian Lillard on CJ McCollum: "He looked great. What we know of him, he's a scorer. He can put the ball in the hole, tonight I thought you guys got to see a glimpse of it. We need that from him -- come in, knock down shots, make plays. That will be huge for us to have another guy who can contribute the way he can."<br>
</li>
<li>One funny locker room scene: a bunch of reporters crowded around one veteran a bit too tightly, and he decided to put his leg up on a chair as a (serious) signal for everyone to back off and give him a little breathing room. That's a new one for me.</li>
<li>Wesley Matthews on diagnosing the slow starts: "We've just got to understand that teams are excited to play us. Teams want to beat us. When we show teams confidence early, everybody can play in this league. What we were doing during our [11-game winning streak] -- we were taking that confidence [away]. That's what we need to get back to doing."</li>
<li>Jordan Crawford, for one, looked amped to play in the Moda Center, where he <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/22/3901142/media-row-report-blazers-wizards">stuck a long game-winner for the Wizards last season</a>. He did a little early whoofing but shot 2-for-10 in the second half.</li>
<li>CJ McCollum on the state of his conditioning after the time off with the injury: "I've been playing 30 minutes my whole career. Ten minutes? I can do that."</li>
<li>McCollum got in a little crack on Mo Williams when describing one of his own three-pointers, which was set up by an extra pass from Williams. "When Mo passes up the shot," McCollum said, stopping to giggle and think about how he was going to put the rest of it. "That means you're open and you can take the shot." Diplomatically done.</li>
<li>More McCollum on his night in general: "I got into a rhythm early. Guys did a good job of moving the ball, putting me in position to score. I told [coach Terry Stotts] before the game I was going to be more aggressive. Just trying to feel out the first game, kind of see where I fit in. I'm going to play like I do in practice, continue to be aggressive. Not only wait for my shot, but get into the lane and create different things."</li>
<li>So they gave away the stuffed ponies for the second game in a row. Once again, they were a crowd favorite. Is this going to be a running gimmick all season? Giving away stuffed ponies to adults for no reason? I can think of worse on-running gimmicks.</li>
<li>Another giveaway: Moda Health yoga mats. "I coulda had a pony but I got this instead!"</li>
<li>Signs: "Boom Batum," "It's Pouring Threes In Dame City," "This Is Our Year," "Make Irish Stew," "Lightning Lillard," "I Wanna Be Like Batum," and "Santa Didn't Bring Me A BlazerDancer" (This guy was still mad more than two weeks later...). The sign of the night: "Bake Boston's Beans."</li>
<li>I joked on Twitter that Kelly Olynyk looks like he's wearing a weave. There's so much hair and it hangs at kind of a weird angle and the use of the headband really does make it look like the whole thing might not be 100 percent authentic. I'm not accusing him of anything! Just saying.</li>
<li>After Wednesday night's game, LaMarcus Aldridge was watching highlights of the Clippers/Celtics game on the locker room television and exclaimed: "Jerryd Bayless got traded?!" A number of Blazers then commented that they were surprised that Bayless didn't stick in Memphis Grizzlies, before noting the offseason coaching change there. The one-time potential franchise point guard is now on his fifth team in six seasons. He played a motivated game.</li>
<li>Free Throw Guy's girlfriend, the "professional cuddler," must die a little bit inside whenever she sees a scowler like Bayless.</li>
<li>Saturday was one more reminder that the Blazers sold Gerald Wallace right before his stock market crashed.</li>
<li>Avery Bradley, a state of Washington product, wasn't thrilled afterwards: "This is kind of embarrassing. You don't ever want to lose [eight] games in a row."</li>
<li>Same old, same old on the McMuffins. No pre-score chanting or instructions.</li>
<li>I wanted to give a quick thanks to longtime reader <b>Andy P</b>. and his friend for helping me claim the @BenGolliver Twitter handle. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bengolliver" target="_blank">Follow here</a>. </li>
<li>Sorry for the confusion over the last week: I briefly changed to @BenGolliverSI and then changed again to @BenGolliver once Twitter was able to free up the shorter name. Someone had squatted on that name but wasn't using it. Anyway, don't worry, no more Twitter changes. We're set now. Also, no Metta World Peace-esque real life name changes either. </li>
<li>Be sure to follow <b>Dave</b> (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/davedeckard">here</a>) and the new, official @Blazersedge account <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/blazersedge">here</a>.</li>
<li> <b>Chris Haynes</b> of <b>CSNNW.com</b> <a href="http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/source-nbpa-reaches-out-former-blazers-president-larry-miller-executive-director-position" target="_blank">reports</a> that former Blazers president Larry Miller passed on the possibility of becoming the National Basketball Players Association Executive Director. It's hard to envision Miller -- personality-wise -- in that role given how high profile and high stakes it is. But if the NBPA's goal was simply to get the anti-Billy Hunter, the low-key, publicity-shunning, sweatsuit-favoring Miller fits that bill perfectly.</li>
<li>On Wednesday, <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/9/5288964/media-row-report-blazers-magic" target="_blank">I posted a bunch of the new photos</a> that have been hung up in the hallway that runs to the Blazers' locker room. On Saturday, I decided to take pictures of most of the rest of them. In doing so, I realized that they skipped over the Rasheed Wallace era (not surprising, although I think there was a Scottie Pippen photo) and the Brandon Roy years (a little bit surprising, considering his popularity and some of the great photographs he starred in). It's amazing -- and totally understandable -- how a franchise's story can be rewritten/re-cast based on the dominant personalities at any given time. It's a new day...</li>
<li>Don't miss the photograph of owner Paul Allen below. He was in attendance on Saturday after making the trip down from Seattle, where he watched his Seahawks advance to the NFC championship game in the afternoon. </li>
<li>Here are the photos...</li>
</ul>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3851021/photo_2__1_.JPG"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3851021/photo_2__1__medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo_2__1__medium"></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3851077/photo_4.JPG"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3851077/photo_4_medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo_4_medium"></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3851069/photo_3__1_.JPG"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3851069/photo_3__1__medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo_3__1__medium"></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3851085/photo_5.JPG"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3851085/photo_5_medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo_5_medium"></a> <br id="1389519519874"></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3851061/photo__6_.JPG"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3851061/photo__6__medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo__6__medium"></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3851013/photo_1__1_.JPG"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3851013/photo_1__1__medium.JPG" class="photo" alt="Photo_1__1__medium"></a></p>
<p><b><u>Terry Stotts' Post-Game Comments</u></b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Well, it's always good to get a win. You try not to be disappointed by not playing as well as you wanted to. Offensively we were good when we needed to be. The stretch of games playing teams with a lesser record is apparently for us to get up for. But in the end, it was good to get the win.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>CJ McCollum</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>He was terrific. He kept us afloat in the first half. He came in aggressive, he looked for his shots. Two threes I thought they did a good job closing out on him and he still focused and made the shots. He seemed like he was much more comfortable tonight than he was in his first game.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Slow starts</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I don't know. It's usually a lot of different things. There's never one thing. You give credit to the opponent, making shots, being aggressive. Some of it is us, some of it is them. At this point, I don't want to belabor it. We've got three days off. We've got Cleveland coming in, they're a quality team. I don't want to really belabor the point. We got the game and we've got to move on.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Concerned about being a second half team</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>I like being a second half team. If I had my choice, I'd rather be a second half team. We're still a work in process, a work in progress. We've got to get -- there's room from improvement. I said that from the beginning. We had a good start to the season. We aren't a finished product. We've got to continue to incrementally grow, basketball-wise and everything else.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Robin Lopez's offense, and strong interior scoring/second chance scoring</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Our offensive rebounding -- we don't emphasize it but it's been a big part of our offense. Robin does a really good job of pursuing balls. Obviously we had a height advantage. We didn't emphasize it, it just turned out that way. You take advantage of the strengths that you have.</p>
<p>Robin getting the first two baskets of the second half -- to be honest, I can't remember the plays we ran to start the second half. Him open on rolls, any time he sets a ball screen, he's one of the options to score.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Damian Lillard taking punishment on defense</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>It's the nature of the position. Guards get hit on screens. Pick-and-rolls are a big part of the game. Navigating through the screens is part of it. You don't necessarily want to take the physical punishment but that's part of the game.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bengolliver" target="_blank">Twitter</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/12/5299980/media-row-report-blazers-112-celtics-104Ben Golliver2014-01-12T00:21:15-08:002014-01-12T00:21:15-08:00Rebounds and Threes and Fouls, Oh My!
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AQF9zo7jsjlT3fxe016GWAulVPU=/0x373:3108x2445/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26690269/20140111_mta_sx3_333.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Spo</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Boston Celtics put in the obligatory great first half against the Portland Trail Blazers but the second half tells another tale as the Blazers cruise to a 112-104 victory.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> 112-104 on Saturday night to push their record to 28-9 on the season. I got to this game very late so I'm not going to do a standard recap. Instead I'm going to let you rely on <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5300004/final-blazers-celtics" target="_blank">Timmay's Instant Recap</a> for details and Ben Golliver's upcoming Media Row Report for quotes and the locker room story. Meanwhile here are some stream-of-consciousness observations from me.</p>
<p><b>Different Day, Same Stuff: </b>The Blazers started slow in this game defensively, allowing the Celtics to score inside like sweet syrup pouring over a stack of johnnycakes. Blazer guards couldn't stay in front of anybody. Blazer rotations didn't happen. The Celts tore up the paint and were hovering above 70% from the floor for much of the first half. Predictably Portland made a surge late in the second quarter, prepping themselves for the obligatory third-period reversal.</p>
<p>The Blazers scored on (three guesses) triples and offensive rebounds in the first half. If it weren't for those two factors they probably would have hit intermission with 5 points total. But they're dang good at the things they're dang good at.</p>
<p>The third period saw the Blazers giving more help against drivers and Boston drifting towards the outside on offense, a nasty development for their production. (Save in the moments when their bigs drew Portland's bigs out of the lane by hitting jumpers, but the Celts never really took advantage by driving. Jumpers led to more jumpers.) Defense deserves credit here but every time this happens I can't help but think, "Rope a Dope". Every shot seems good in the first half for Portland's opponents but in reality those shots are going in because they're close and Portland is permissive in the lane. The Blazer defense changes in the third period but the opponent's perception of their own offense doesn't seem to. Every shot still feels good, except now those shots are no-good 18-footers instead of real good layups.</p>
<p>Even so, Portland's main advantage in the turn-around wasn't defense. Nor was it torrential offense. The Blazers and Celtics stayed pretty even from the field in the critical third quarter. Portland's advantage came from the foul line where they hit 10-10 shots in the period while Boston managed only 3-4. This time there was pretty solid reason for the disparity. The Blazers were going inside (or at least rebounding inside) while the Celtics bombed away.</p>
<p>Looking at the final stats 20 offensive rebounds, 10-21 from the arc, and 26 foul shot attempts for Portland to 17 for Boston made the difference in this game. Ignore Boston's 20 offensive boards. A third of those came in the last two minutes of the game off of desperation plays. Portland got most of the 50-50 balls and most of the 50-50 calls in this game and that made the difference.</p>
<p><b>Another Point Guard Goes Bonkers Against Portland: </b><span>Avery Bradley</span> poured in 25 points on 11-19 shooting in this game. For a while there he was shooting, like, 80%. No matter who the Blazers put in that point guard spot defense remains an issue.</p>
<p><b><span>C.J. McCollum</span> Says Hello:</b> Portland's first-round pick scored 10 in 14 minutes on 4-6 shooting, 2-3 from the arc. This was even more amazing when you consider he never touched the ball. OK, maybe he <i>touched</i> it but he sure didn't get the chance to hold or dribble it much. If he can get in an offensive groove without having to massage the ball Portland will benefit...greatly.</p>
<p><b><span>Mo Williams</span> Plays Point: </b>The stats (4-9 shooting, 4 assists, 2 turnovers) don't necessarily show it but it felt like Mo Williams responded to recent criticism of his style by making sure to find open teammates, particularly McCollum. A couple times you could almost hear the wheels turning, "See? I had this shot but there's Rook. He's open. I hit him. We made it. Point Guard!"</p>
<p><b>LaMarcus Aldridge Isn't Fair:</b> It's like you look across the roster sheet every night to see who's playing against him and you say, "This guy isn't near as good as LaMarcus. Should be a field day for LMA." Then you realize you've done that every game for the last month. 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists tonight. And he didn't even shoot that much.</p>
<p><b>Robin Lopez Isn't Fair Either:</b> Because every time the opponent finally thinks they have the Blazers contained they realize they didn't account for him, especially on the offensive glass. Making the Blazers miss the shot might be 50% of the defense necessary to stop them. Against most teams it's the whole job. Thanks, Robin!</p>
<p><b>T-Rob Didn't Repeat:</b> But did you really expect him to?</p>
<p><b><span>Dorell Wright</span> and Meyers Leonard Didn't Even Play:</b> The bench minutes aren't getting that much bigger but more fish are scuttling to scoop them up when Coach Stotts sprinkles them in the tank. Barring injury it looks like 1-2 players are going to be unhappy after each game...not necessarily a bad development. You'd still like to see more production out of the bench and to have more trust in them in general. #veterans</p>
<p><b>Boston Is Kind of Hurting:</b> It's not just the (now) 8-game losing streak. Normally in these kinds of situations when I assume Portland will take the game handily I spend a fair amount of time scanning the opposing roster for players I'd like to pilfer to bolster Portland's playoff bid. Tonight it was mostly, "No thanks."</p>
<p><b>Those Green Celtics Road Unis are Pretty:</b> But the combination of their color and Blazer crimson was making my HDTV throw fits.</p>
<p>Cleveland comes to town on Wednesday. Between now and then the Blazers will prepare for the brutal road trip that follows.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489424" target="_blank">Boxscore</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a> can't be happy right now. But they might be anticipating a little draft action soon.</p>
<p>Here's your <a href="http://blazersedge.aglimmeringwreck.com/" target="_blank">link for the Jersey Contest</a>, both tonight's scores and the next game form.</p>
<p>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveDeckard" target="_blank">@DaveDeckard</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank">@BlazersEdge</a></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank"></a>--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/12/5300458/portland-trail-blazers-vs-boston-celtics-lamarcus-aldridge-damian-lillardDave Deckard2014-01-11T21:18:13-08:002014-01-11T21:18:13-08:00Final: Blazers Club the Celtics, 112-104
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RBaLpRDFsJubs7QPlQ_VS5pfccc=/122x0:3878x2504/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26686859/20140108_pjc_sx3_412.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Spo</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Portland Trail Blazers often played like something your cat yacked up on the carpet, but they clung to a late lead to hold off the Boston Celtics.</p> <p>The Blazers spread the scoring around tonight, and finished with seven players in double figures:</p>
<p>- LaMarcus Aldridge (21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists)<br>- Damian Lillard (15 points, 6 assists)<br>- Robin Lopez (15 points, 13 rebounds)<br>- Nicolas Batum (16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists)<br>- Wesley Matthews (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists)<br>- Mo Williams (11 points, 4 assists)</p>
<p>And rookie CJ McCollum scored 10 points (off 2-3 three-point shooting) with an assist in his second game as a Blazer.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400489424">Box Score</a></p>
<p><b>First Quarter:</b> More of the same to start the game, as the Blazer defense doesn't bother to take the court, and the Celtics easily take advantage for a 9 point lead. They tried to make a run, but Boston hit 75% of their shots for an 11 point lead, as Portland made no effort to force them out of position. But Blazers rookie CJ McCollum hit two three-pointers to keep things close.</p>
<p><b>Boston 32, Portland 27</b></p>
<p><b>Second Quarter:</b> The Blazers closed to within a possession of the lead, but fell apart again. They allowed more layups and free throws, while giving the ball away at the other end. Mo Williams embodied the ongoing online discussions of his merits by threading a nice pass to McCollum for a three-point attempt... then attempting a behind-the-head pass directly to the Celtics. Boston retook a 9 point lead at the midpoint. After a cold spell by the Celtics, the Blazers stormed back, finally tying the game late in the half.. only to watch Boston hit a string of consecutive shots to stay ahead.</p>
<p><b>Boston 60, Portland 58</b></p>
<p><b>Third Quarter: </b>Boston kept hitting all their shots, both easy and frustratingly hard. However, the Blazers stayed close while waiting for them to cool down (not sure it occurred to them to also work harder on defense). Before long, the Blazers used their inside advantage to pull ahead by 7. As the lead reached 9 halfway into the quarter, the bench started to enter. And just like that, here comes Boston. A few unlikely three-pointers cut the lead to 4, and the teams fought to a standstill from there.</p>
<p><b>Portland 90, Boston 86</b></p>
<p><b>Fourth Quarter:</b> Boston was oh-so-close to taking the lead thanks to continued hot shooting, but Mo Willaims helped settle down the team with a few nice plays. By the time Batum nailed a three-pointer, Boston was down 13 and needed a timeout. Boston attempted to push back, but Portland still led by 13 with 3:30 left. The Celtics kept finding ways to tip rebounds, leading to a three-pointer to pull within 10. In response, the Blazers turned the ball over twice in a row, and gave up an and-1.. except Jeff Green missed, Boston got the rebound and Green scored again. In a minute, the Blazer 13 point lead dropped to 6. In response, they turned it over again with 2 minutes left. Green missed, and Boston got another rebound. They finally missed a three-pointer to bail out the Blazers. With less than a minute left, the Celtics pulled within 6 and got the ball due to another Blazer turnover. Portland picked up the defense, and Boston couldn't get anything started on offense. With the clock under 24 seconds and no more opportunities to turn the ball over, free throws sealed the game for the Blazers.</p>
<p><b>What's Next:</b></p>
<p>More rest for the Blazers, as they don't play again until Cleveland arrives for a Wednesday night game. In the meantime stay tuned for more from Ben and Dave. -- 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 class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ParticleAccelerator">ParticleAccelerator</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209371685">CJ fits like a glove in the Stottsfense. </a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Uncleblaze3">Uncleblaze3</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209336703">BTW </a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/occassia">occassia</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209364849">It doesn't drive me batty. ;-)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/flynn4blazers">flynn4blazers</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5300110/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5061563#209384875">Amian Lillar</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/annthefan">annthefan</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209333469">Go Trail Blazers!!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Uncleblaze3">Uncleblaze3</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209337457">I refuse to rec this</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ilikeemall">Ilikeemall</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209342319">I kinda hope they're 0 for 2...</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bustabucket">bustabucket</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209332843">Go Blazers!</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/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209367759">How about we need to win this game because boston is bad and we are not.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thankyouforblaze">thankyouforblaze</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5300110/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5061563#209388657">feel free to check out the BOS announcer sometime :)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Uncleblaze3">Uncleblaze3</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209336835">Go Seattle Seahawks!!!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Honka%20Playboy">Honka Playboy</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5300110/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers-second-half/in/5061563#209385789">Dare I say, "Scrappy"</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RipCityLifer!">RipCityLifer!</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209340959">I won't rec it either</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BRoyInThe4th">BRoyInThe4th</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209377651">I like it when Dame goes to the rim. </a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/hoodieNation">hoodieNation</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209360635">he's fishing for recs already</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Steve%20Postfontaine">Steve Postfontaine</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209376829">tired, so tired, of being embarrassed by my team's horrible defense</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bustabucket">bustabucket</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209355781">Hoping CJ gets a lot of run tonight!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/T%20Darkstar">T Darkstar</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209360281">I mean OH SNAP!</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gtbassett">gtbassett</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers/in/5061563#209372385">Refs + James Harden?</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/1/11/5300004/final-blazers-celticsTimmay!2014-01-11T20:07:19-08:002014-01-11T20:07:19-08:00CHAT: Blazers Stinking at Home Again?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cR1alRLRKit3TXPdfpTKCvIEIlc=/0x90:2638x1849/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26684491/20140108_pjc_sx3_407.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Spo</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> KGW</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/2014/1/11/5300110/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazers-second-halfTimmay!2014-01-11T17:30:01-08:002014-01-11T17:30:01-08:00CHAT: The Green Guys Are In Town Tonight!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RvrDxJPqbvmp4pkbgG6vZcO7v-4=/0x1360:2910x3300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26637841/20131115_lbm_aa6_570.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-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> KGW</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/2014/1/11/5297516/gameday-thread-celtics-vs-blazersTimmay!