Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles ClippersThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2015-01-15T00:35:36-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/73132022015-01-15T00:35:36-08:002015-01-15T00:35:36-08:00Crawford, Batum, Loss Irritate Moda Center Crowd
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jEX8vbCu6BfMF0ss5kFocXH2k1U=/332x0:4814x2988/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45221402/Clippers_2.0.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford seems to beat the Trail Blazers no matter whose uniform he's wearing, including Portland's own.</p> <p>Here's special correspondent Peter Sampson with our In-Arena Report from the Moda Center following tonight's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/15/7550897/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-damian-lillard-chris-paul">Portland Trail Blazers loss to the Los Angeles Clipper</a>s.</p>
<p>-----------------------------</p>
<p>Greetings BEdgers. Tough loss tonight. That being said, tonight's game was one of the more entertaining "can't stand the mistakes, watch your elite point guard get outplayed, watch your league leading 3pt making SG shoot like garbage, watch your All-NBA PF thoroughly outplay the other big name PF in his conference and then barely get the ball in crunch time, watch a former Blazer who gave no effort the year he was here burn you in the second half" games in recent memory. Really.</p>
<p>With the late start time (due to the game being televised on ESPN) I got to the arena about an hour early. I work in Lake Oswego and live in Milwaukie, so oftentimes there's too much time to kill, but not enough time to fight traffic home and then again on the way to the arena. So I decided to hit up Dr. Jack's, which was hopping tonight. If you haven't been to a Blazer game in a couple of years, you probably won't even recognize that Dr. Jack's is in the same space that The Game used to be in. I really appreciate the wide selection of beers, as well as the fact that there are more than 3 bartenders working, an issue that always seemed to make a pregame stop at The Game a little less enjoyable.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Clippers1" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iCut2-eIlh14xPmnOCWbZi7FHkg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2935540/Clippers_1.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
<p>I got to my seat just in time to catch <span>Allen Crabbe</span> on the big screen announcing the Blazers walk out music, "She Twerkin'" by Cash Out. This only served to reinforce what I said last game about my realization that I'm no longer hip.</p>
<p>Jimmie Herrod performed the National Anthem in a sort of neo-soul rendition. Great timbre to his voice and a world class falsetto. I've really enjoyed most of the anthem singers over the last several weeks. Player introductions followed with loud boos for <span>Chris Paul</span> and epic booing reserved for <span>Blake Griffin</span>. The Blazer Intros were...well here, check it out yourself.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BSY72ZEOCow?rel=0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>The big screen had a nice close up of the new DLillard1's, Damian's new signature shoe that launched yesterday. I'm not a basketball shoe fetishist like a lot of my friends are, but they are pretty sweet looking.</p>
<p>The Blazers got off to a sluggish start, and trailed 16-10 after the first 5 minutes of the game. The crowd got going with the chants--especially section 314; they lived up to their reputation tonight--and the defensive intensity picked up toward the end of the first quarter. <span>Jamal Crawford</span> checked in to mild boos toward the end of the first, and the Clippers led 27-21 after 1.</p>
<p>After the first quarter, State Farm sponsored a contest where Blazer studio analyst (and State Farm rep) Michael Holton would pass the ball to a contestant while he shot 17 foot jumpers for $50 a pop. Adrian and Holton had good chemistry, and M.H. kept feeding him the ball right where he likes it. After Adrian went 6/13, he was given a choice; shoot a FT for $250 or shoot a 3 pointer for $500. Adrian likes to live dangerously and went for the 3. Like Ewing, his shot bounced off the back iron when it mattered most.</p>
<p>The Blazers were cutting the gap in the second quarter thanks to the inspired play of their 3 big men <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span>, <span>Chris Kaman</span>, and....<span>Meyers Leonard</span>. Haters gonna hate. During a break in the second quarter, a game called "How well do you know the Schonz?" was rolled out in section 117. 2 fans, Charles and Edward, had to finish the following partial Schonley phrases; "Lickety.....", "You've GOT.....", "He climbed the golden....", "Bingo.....", and "He crosses the......at midcourt".</p>
<p>Charles absolutely dominated taking 3 of the 5, with neither of them getting the other 2. Schonley was actually there saying the phrases, and even ribbed Edward a little for clearly not being familiar with phrases that we likely all know by heart.</p>
<p><i>[ed. Can I play? Can I play? "Brindle up the middle to make your free throws ladder bango bongo cyclops. I'll take stuff I grew up saying to myself on the pick-up court for $400, Alex.]</i></p>
<p>Before halftime, the crowd was starting to audibly get on <span>Nicolas Batum</span> a little bit for a poor shot followed with a careless pass on the next possession. As the season goes along, Batum is getting much less of a free pass from the fans, some of whom are starting to turn on him.</p>
<p>At halftime, we were treated to the Memphis - Beale Street Flippers; a group of men that are able to perform vertigo-inducing backflips with incredible speed. It was impressive. It made me nauseous just watching it.</p>
<p>To start the second half, the crowd was ready to push the home team ahead, but the Clippers hit back to back three pointers right out of the gate, which really took any life out of the crowd in the short term. We slowly inched our way back in along with the Blazers, and erupted when 2 Meyers Leonard free throws tied the game at 72.</p>
<p>The McDonald's Challenge tonight featured youngsters wearing size 16 shoes, needing to run the court while putting on a full sized jersey and shorts. Afterward, they needed to grab a basketball, run the length of the court, and hit a free throw. Barrett was repping section 118, Aiden had 117, and Bowen had 116. Barrett and Aiden were neck in neck with getting their gear on. Barrett then took the pole position after grabbing his basketball and ran the length of the court and....missed his lay in. Aiden calmly sunk his shot a second afterward. Bowen, like Ringo, was off in his own world, just happy to be invited.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter, the Blazers finally took a lead on what felt like C.J. McCollum's first bucket in a month. We were going to pull away like we always do but Jamal Crawford had other plans. Lillard did his best to keep the Blazers in it, but there just wasn't enough juice, the Clippers closing on a 21-9 run.</p>
<p>Matthews and Lillard (for 3 quarters) REALLY struggled in this game. LaMarcus, Kaman, and Leonard all had double-doubles and were quite impressive in their own way. Batum pulled a disappearing act. I'm not sure what to make of him this year.</p>
<p>Non-Game Notes:</p>
<p>Leupold's Hometown Hero was Vietnam veteran Sgt. Joseph Arenas.</p>
<p>Signs - "It's the Dame Shoes", "Lillard > Paul", "Blake Griffin Prefers Soy Milk", "Rip the Clips", "Blake Griffin Hates Bacon", "Show Me Your Dame Face"</p>
<p>This dude had the ultimate troll jersey - Darius Miles' Clippers jersey. I applaud this man, whoever he is.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Clippers3" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2CQNCG4NEHjY13nXbZwJxm6U8yM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2935542/Clippers_3.0.jpg">
</figure>
</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/15/7550973/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-crawford-batumDave DeckardPeterSampson2015-01-15T00:13:22-08:002015-01-15T00:13:22-08:00Great "D" on Lillard Overcomes Aldridge's Offense
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VyBTD6heOLJA8Y3Puvh0HxGwCcI=/0x408:2276x1925/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45221370/usa-today-8330809.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers employ a sharp defensive scheme to Humpty Dumpty up Damian Lillard and all LaMarcus Aldridge's horses and men can't carry the Blazers to a victory.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> put on a display of playoff-level basketball tonight in the Moda Center. The game had everything you'd want from a Western-Conference showdown: big stars shining, great plays, fast tempo, and neither team led by double-digits at any point in the contest. The only item missing (presuming you're a Blazers fan) was the victory. Though Portland showed signs of pulling their come-from-behind devastation move on L.A. in the fourth period, the veteran Clippers were wise to them and refused to let it happen. The resulting 100-94 loss wasn't satisfying--no defeat can be described so--but it was an interesting display of the type of challenge that lies ahead for the Blazers if they hope to win the conference crown.</p>
<p>The Clippers served notice early that they were taking this game seriously, entering the game with a pitch-perfect plan to run Portland's slower big men off the floor. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> hasn't been spry the last few weeks and <span>Chris Kaman</span> is more pickup truck than hot rod. The Clippers made 5 buckets in the first 4:30 of this game. <span>J.J. Redick</span> accounted for 1. The other 4 were <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> working his way around the rim before the Blazers could catch up. He scored twice after Portland makes by streaking down the court faster than anybody else. He also scored off an offensive rebound and a turnover. Portland patched the Jordan leak fairly quickly, but the Clippers knew <i>exactly</i> who they were playing against and it showed.</p>
<p>The middle quarters of the game ebbed and flowed based on minor trends. Kaman dominated the Clippers bench in a way he couldn't manage against the starters. Portland failed to get out and cover the three early in the second half and let the Clips gain momentum. But those provided contrapuntal texture to the two main themes:</p>
<p>1. Further demonstrating their knowledge of the Blazers (and late-vintage Skylanders releases) the Clippers went Trap Team on Damian Lillard for most of the game. Throughout the season we've talked in general terms about Portland's guards being vulnerable to pressure. L.A. narrowed that down to a single guard--the most important one--and cranked the vise until it hurt. On Portland screens they used their bigs to throw up a hedge so thick that even <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pf_eW8Qnsw">Terminator Homer</a> couldn't get through. Damian couldn't pass, couldn't shoot...mostly he ended up retreating. Often they pinched in on him, not caring if they rode him back to halfcourt as long as he didn't see any daylight. When you see <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span> bum rushing Lillard toward the time stripe while their teammates defend 3-on-4 you think, "That shouldn't work." But it did. Damian ended up scoring exactly 3 points in the first 3 periods. Not 3 points each quarter, 3 points <i>total</i>.</p>
<p>2. Point #1 almost didn't matter because coverage choices left the Clips 1-on-1 (at best) against LaMarcus Aldridge and he made them pay like a jilted loan shark. LaMarcus would score 37 in this game, shooting 14-28 with 4 offensive rebounds to his credit. He was masterful and the Clippers barely survived him even with Lillard sewn up in a sock.</p>
<p>The resulting back-and-forth left the teams knotted at 72 headed into the fourth period. At that point everybody in the stadium knew what time it was.</p>
<p>While checking out the game clips on those shiny iPad Air2's the Blazers sport on the bench, Damian Lillard said, "Siri? Set an alarm for 8:00 left to go in the fourth quarter. It's Lillard Time."</p>
<p>To which Siri replied, "I found a lot of pet stores quite far from you. Let me know if you want to hear the whole list.'"</p>
<p>To which Dame replied, "Nevermind. I'll do it my own damn self."</p>
<p>And he did.</p>
<p>Lillard would score 9 points in 3 minutes with his usual death-defying shot selection. For those counting, that's 3 points in 3 entire quarters, then 9 points in less than the time it takes to get a latte at Starbucks.</p>
<p>It looked like things were going to swing Portland's way, except that the Blazers couldn't defend during that span. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul combined for 10 points even as Lillard was scoring his 9. Plus "Lillard Time" by nature precluded "Aldridge Time"...Portland's formula for success during the other 45 minutes of the game. After scoring 35 points in the first 36 minutes, LaMarcus would attempt only 2 shots the entire fourth period. When the Clippers finally got a hold on Lillard, Portland had no safety valve. Aldridge never touched the ball. L.A.'s supporting cast hit a couple shots and Portland's didn't. The Clippers defense held a little better than the Blazers'. The result was a 6-point loss...harsh, but fair.</p>
<p>The defeat itself is indicative of little. The Blazers have played too well, conquering too many excellent opponents, for this to be any kind of stain or harbinger. You can't win them. Tonight the Blazers didn't.</p>
<p>The scheme the Clippers employed against Lillard may become a lingering ghost, though. Not every team has the chops to make it work. With a little better preparation the Blazers can deal with it better. But Doc Rivers knew where to hit Portland and exposed a vulnerability for the rest of the league. You can bet opposing coaches will be running back that game tape. It's hard to imagine Portland's machine-like offense getting derailed for lack of dealing with a pretty basic screen-and-roll defensive technique. On the other hand, this isn't a new weakness. In the best-case scenario the Blazers don't have to face that kind of pressure much during the regular season, but they're going to see it again at some point in the playoffs. Stay tuned.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that turnovers also played a part in this game. The Blazers committed only 12 but the Clippers scored 19 points following (compared to only 7 TO's forced and 7 points scored after for the Blazers). This buoyed L.A.'s 14-2 fast break advantage as well. Interestingly enough, L.A. scored only 24 points in the paint tonight. They were happy to take the mid-range shots the Blazers gave them. Portland only got into trouble a couple times when they interpreted, "We're OK with the Clippers shooting from the middle ground" as, "We're not going to defend anything beyond 15 feet if they pass the ball more than once." At that point L.A.'s three-point shooting became devastating. But those moments were brief.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">LaMarcus Aldridge had another one of those "More than MVP" outings. I've written about this team for nearly a decade now. I don't even know how to describe what he's doing out there other than saying, "You'd better watch, because this is as awesome as anything you're going to see."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Damian Lillard ended up shooting 5-16 overall but a very nice 4-9 in the all-important three-point category. He scored 15. The Clippers kept him to 4 assists against 3 turnovers. Factor in a little sloppiness getting around screens as a defender and this wasn't a great night for Dame.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Wesley Matthews</span> couldn't provide much of an outlet with his jumper tonight, taking a serious bite out of Portland's offensive power. Matthews shot 3-13, 2-8 from distance, scoring 8. He appeared most comfortable in the post against less powerful Clippers shooting guards but L.A. was going to let him beat them from that position all night long.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Chris Kaman had an impressive stat line at 15 points on 7-11 shooting with 11 rebounds but he had a bad matchup against Jordan and never ended up looking as good as his numbers. It's hard to say "it was a bad night" with that kind of production but....it was kind of a bad night.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Speaking of bad nights, we might be able to start a game show called, "What Is Nic Batum Doing?" We'll give him 6 assists and 5 rebounds but he had some ghastly turnovers, even more ghastly-looking three-point attempts (firing back-to-back airballs at one point, after which he just stopped shooting altogether) and even blew a critical defensive assignment late. If Batum is going to look like this after playing year-around basketball for a couple years straight, he needs to take a summer off.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Only 3 guys made it off Portland's bench tonight. <span>Meyers Leonard</span>--a.k.a. "The Mid Ranger"--was the superstar. All he needed was a mask and one of those ponies on a stick. He wafted a bouquet of open jump shots under the noses of the Clippers and used the resulting energy to drive him to 10 rebounds and 3 assists to go along with his 4-7 shooting and 11 points. Granted, those numbers come in 31 minutes of play, but for Meyers this was spectacular. The best thing about his game right now is the lack of hesitation. We've waited a long time for Leonard to even <i>see</i> a proper play, let alone see a play, make a play like good players do. He made plenty of plays tonight.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Steve Blake</span> had 5 assists and 2 turnovers in 20 minutes, CJ McCollum 3 assists and 1-5 shooting in 18 minutes. Between them they scored 4 points.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Blazers now jump out of the frying pan and into a nuclear reactor, heading to Texas to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> on Friday followed by a tilt with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> in Western-Conference hotbed Tennessee on Saturday. That's a heck of a back-to-back.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Let's end with a humorous note. In the usual pre-fourth-quarter coaches interview ESPN's sideline reporter referenced <span>Damian Lillard's</span> 3-point performance in the first 3 periods, put a microphone in <span>Terry Stotts</span>' face, and asked him how he was going to get his star point guard to produce in the fourth quarter. She might as well have asked a Pompeiian how he was going to get Vesuvius to erupt. The look Stotts gave her was...priceless. To his credit, he managed to suppress a chuckled and answered the question straight.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578875">Your Boxscore</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550129/blazers-vs-clippers-final-score-portland-win-streak-snapped">Instant Recap</a> talks more about game flow and reaction from around the universe to Portland's loss.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a> should be pretty happy about this victory, as they haven't gotten to write about many quality road wins this year.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Don't miss the latest edition of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/13/7539993/portland-trail-blazers-podcast-meyers-leonard-damian-lillard">Blazer's Edge Podcast,</a> during which Phil Naessens and I wax poetic about Meyers Leonard even <i>before</i> tonight's performance.</p>
<p>--Dave blazersub@gmail.com / <a href="https://twitter.com/davedeckard" target="_blank">@DaveDeckard</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank">@Blazersedge</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/15/7550897/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-damian-lillard-chris-paulDave Deckard2015-01-14T22:06:58-08:002015-01-14T22:06:58-08:00Aldridge's 37 Not Enough Versus Clippers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0FZRQIXZhAIoz4Qi751jKZSjd2k=/60x0:2932x1915/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45220998/usa-today-8330802.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LaMarcus Aldridge had 37 points, but the Blazers shot 6-of-23 from three in a home loss to the Clippers.</p> <p>A monster game by the Portland forwards and centers was not enough to defeat the opponent.</p>
<p><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> had 37 points and 12 rebounds, <span>Chris Kaman</span> had 15 points and 11 rebounds, but the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> fell at home to the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, 100-94, Wednesday night at Moda Center.</p>
<p>The Clippers up tempo game shot them out to a quick advantage, with <span>DeAndre Jordan</span> scoring eight points on 4-of-4 shooting. Aldridge countered for Portland, scoring 12 points in the period, but he was responsible for almost all of the Portland offense. The rest of the team had nine points combined, and the Clippers held a six point lead after one.</p>
<p>The second quarter became a duel between former Clipper Kaman and former Trail Blazer Jamal Crawford. Crawford had ten in the period, but Kaman had seven to keep pace. When Aldridge came back from his rest on the bench, he went back to work scoring ten more to have 22 at the half. At one point, Aldridge had as many points as the rest of the team did combined. Overall in the second quarter, Blazers big men scored 21 points, while the rest of the team had seven. Behind the efforts of Aldridge, Kaman and <span>Meyers Leonard</span>, the Blazers trailed by just one at halftime.</p>
<p>Aldridge continued to be a driving force for Portland in the third quarter, scoring 13 points in the period and securing yet another double-double. Leonard had five in the period, and the rest of the team had five combined. With a pair of Leonard free throws, the Blazers tied the game going into the final period.</p>
<p>Kaman kicked off the scoring for Portland in the final period, getting two quick buckets to give Portland a four point lead. The Blazers led by as many as six, but quick scoring by <span>Blake Griffin</span> tied the game. A long three by Crawford gave the Clippers a 92-89 advantage, and Portland was unable to close, missing multiple threes. The Blazers shot just 6-of-25 from three in the game.</p>
<p>Leonard finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This was the first game this season where three Trail Blazers had double-doubles in points and rebounds. <span>Damian Lillard</span> finished with 15 on 5-of-16 shooting.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578875">BOX SCORE</a></p>
<p align="center"><b>Gameday Thread Comments of the Night</b></p>
<p>Thanks to all who participated in tonight's Gameday Thread! Comments were often as hotly contested as any action on the court. Here were the most popular comments based on recommendations:</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="60"># Recs</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th>Comment Link</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Y5k">Y5k</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283381042">2015 update</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RanYakumo">RanYakumo</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283413120">BLAKE OPENING UP A SCARF SHOP WITH ALL THE THREADING HE'S DOING</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/colbymac">colbymac</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283370928">[no title]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/shikimaking">shikimaking</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283411504">4th quarter, we all know what that means</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/pklym">pklym</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283364380">Crabbe is active. Rolo's cast is off</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Timmay!">Timmay!</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283375076">Don't worry, giving game minutes to his below-average son over his teammates will fix everything.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/pklym">pklym</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283405008">This is the thread where we win</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/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283397552">It's Big Baby Davis. That's Thanksgiving dinner.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/pklym">pklym</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283416284">You know what, we were in this game until the end, while missing our starting center and backup PF</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mortimer">Mortimer</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283412356">Meyers likes playing with his dad</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Stryder9">Stryder9</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers#283416386">Silver lining for tonight: Leonard.</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/prezofdeath">prezofdeath</a></td>
<td><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazers#283395060">5 of them</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>Post-Game Reaction</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Good game, <a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippers">@LAClippers</a>. <a href="http://t.co/TCkBzBm2KX">pic.twitter.com/TCkBzBm2KX</a></p>
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/555606548739682304">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Crawford admitted the way Lillard has been playing lately, he got the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Clippers?src=hash">#Clippers</a> attention. Trapped him all night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/555611463901933569">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum were noticeably early exits from the locker room after tonight's loss <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RipCity?src=hash">#RipCity</a></p>
— CSNNW (@CSNNW) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSNNW/status/555617668632289280">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Usually in the 4th quarter when we have the lead with 5 minutes to go, we're pretty good in those situations" - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> coach Terry Stotts</p>
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikegrich/status/555619440386007041">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>'<a href="https://twitter.com/aldridge_12">@aldridge_12</a> had 2 of his 37 pts in 4th quarter. LA: "I had it going. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't settle for those shots."</p>— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryeggers/status/555634460478013440">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>'<a href="https://twitter.com/JCrossover">@JCrossover</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard">@Dame_Lillard</a>: "He has proved this year he's as good as anybody in the NBA. He demands a lot of attention."</p>— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryeggers/status/555634948405592065">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>More "<a href="https://twitter.com/JCrossover">@JCrossover</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard">@Dame_Lillard</a>: "We defended him well. But he's such a great player, he still hit impossible shots toward the end."</p>— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryeggers/status/555635217377947648">January 15, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550129/blazers-vs-clippers-final-score-portland-win-streak-snappedRyanASterling2015-01-14T20:39:03-08:002015-01-14T20:39:03-08:00Chat: Blazers and Clippers Locked In Battle!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2BamhWQrSM_clmn-RKdMCcBjmFU=/0x80:4593x3142/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45220830/usa-today-8324796.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>7:30 pm</b><br>Watch: <b>ESPN | KGW<br></b>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>
</div>
<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>
<p><b>Injury update: </b>For the Blazers, <b><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Robin Lopez</span></span></b> is out until at least late January with a fractured hand. <b><span>Joel Freeland</span> </b>is out for at least two weeks with a shoulder sprain. <b><span>Allen Crabbe</span> </b>is practicing, but his status is unknown.</p>
<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>----------------</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7550527/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippersTimmay!2015-01-14T18:00:02-08:002015-01-14T18:00:02-08:00Chat: Blazers Get Another Crack At The Clippers!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0y_7HeIO7ALWE6Srel4LTPsYi28=/0x152:1865x1395/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45219574/usa-today-8192433.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>7:30 pm</b><br>Watch: <b>ESPN | KGW<br></b>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>
</div>
<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>
<p><b>Injury update: </b>For the Blazers, <b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Robin Lopez</span></b> is out until at least late January with a fractured hand. <b>Joel Freeland </b>is out for at least two weeks with a shoulder sprain. <b>Allen Crabbe </b>is practicing, but his status is unknown.</p>
<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>----------------</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7549169/gameday-thread-los-angeles-clippers-vs-portland-trail-blazersTimmay!2015-01-14T02:27:43-08:002015-01-14T02:27:43-08:00Blazers vs. Clippers Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X8xjd00HGnfiUwetbWaMOY6KCf8=/285x315:1830x1345/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45214336/usa-today-6728616.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Blazer's Edge previews today's Blazers-Clippers matchup in a Q&A with Clips Nation staff writer Thomas Wood.</p> <p align="center"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> (25-13, No. 6 in the West) vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> (30-8, No. 2 in the West)<br>Wednesday, January 14<br>Moda Center; Portland, OR | 7:30 p.m. PST | Local TV/Radio: KGWHD, ESPN; 620 AM<br>Out for the Blazers:<span class="sbn-auto-link"> <span>Robin Lopez</span>, <span>Joel Freeland, </span><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Allen Crabbe </span><span class="sbn-auto-link">(day-to-day)</span></span> </span>| Out for the Clippers: N/A<br>SBN Affiliate: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a> | <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7082097/portland-trail-blazers-2014-15-season-preview-tv-viewing-guide" target="_blank">Timmay's Viewing Guide</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7085127/blazers-edge-night-2015-announced">Blazer's Edge Night</a></p>
<p align="left"><i>From time to time, Blazer's Edge collaborates with blogs that cover other NBA teams to get an in-depth view of Trail Blazers opponents from the people who follow them most. Today we'd like to welcome <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a> staff writer <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">Thomas Wood</a> to preview tonight's Blazers-Clippers matchup.</i></p>
<p><i>Check out the other half of this Q&A session <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2015/1/13/7543741/the-questionable-blogger-clippers-blazers-aldridge-lillard-kaman-olshey">over at Clips Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p>---</p>
<p align="left"><i><span class="im"> </span></i></p>
<div>
<b>Blazer's Edge: </b><i>The Clippers are 25-13 and sit at No. 6 in the West currently, but are only six games out of first place. Of the teams considered contenders before the start of the season, L.A. might be the least-talked about right now in NBA circles. How and why are the Clippers managing to fly under the radar? What should Blazers fans know about them that isn't apparent from a glance at the stats? It looks like they have one of the most efficient offenses in the league.</i>
</div>
<p><i> </i></p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">Thomas Wood: </a></b>I'm tickled by how you view this team as an outsider. "Flying under the radar" is the most generous and optimistic thing that's been said about their season since Steve Ballmer called them the "HARD-CORE-CLIPPERS." It's like saying passengers aboard the Titanic had a nice swim. </span></p>
<p><span>Clippers fans would probably opt for a phrase like FML, which is amazing considering that we're talking about a historically inept franchise that currently sits sixth in the most competitive basketball conference we've ever seen. That's a reflection of the stratospheric expectations most fans (and media) had for this team coming into the season. Last year, on January 14th, the Clippers were 26-13. As you mentioned, they're currently 25-13. Yet, </span>I’ve actually seen more than a few tweets and comments proclaiming that the season is already over and that the team should start planning for next year.</p>
<p><span>You’re right that the offense has been statistically strong, but the defense has reverted to pre-Doc levels, falling from last year’s seventth place finish in efficiency to their current standing at 17th. But even beyond the numbers, the team just doesn’t look right, and there's no other way to say it. Basketball is often likened to jazz (not the Utah kind) and sometimes you can just tell when the band isn’t clicking. This band isn’t clicking. Not yet, anyway.</span></p>
</div>
<p><span class="im"><b><span class="im">BE:<i> </i></span></b></span><i><span class="im"><span>Blake Griffin</span> is drifting out to the midrange for more shots than normal this year, attempting fewer field goals in the lane. What's the reason for Griffin's change in offensive approach? Do you think it's more effective, and will he stick with it?</span></i></p>
<div><span><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">TW: </a></b></span>This may be <i>the</i> question of the season. The answer is that there is no answer; however, there are hypotheses. Some think it’s a deliberate attempt by Blake to diversify his offensive attack. Others, and I am this camp, think he’s either injured or still in suboptimal condition following an offseason spent resting a back fracture. Still others think that it’s a strategic choice by <span>Doc Rivers</span> (or an assistant) to force more spacing into the offense. I could even be convinced that Doc is taking the long view and suffering through some growing pains now to make defenders honor the jumper come playoff-time.</span></div>
<div><span><br></span></div>
<div>
<span>If this last idea has some truth to it, it may be working. Recent opponents have been drawn into hard closeouts on Blake jumpers, giving him room to drive to the rim. The irony of this starting group is that despite the presence of <span>J.J. Redick</span>, good spacing is hard to find. Matt Barnes is having a career year from behind the arc, but his defenders have been happy to wander halfway across the floor to harass his teammates. <span>DeAndre Jordan's</span> shooting range notoriously extends all the way out to slam dunk. In crucial late-game possessions in past seasons, the offense has been gummed up by opponents who packed the paint and dared the Clippers to fire away from deep. Having Blake shoot jumpers at an Aldridge-ian pace may not be the Clippers' first choice, but the short-term pain may lead to long-term gain.</span><b><br></b><span class="im"><span class="im"><span class="im"><span class="im"><b><span class="im"></span></b></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>
<span class="im"><span class="im"><span class="im"><span class="im"><b><span class="im">BE: </span></b></span></span></span></span><i><span class="im"><span>Chris Paul's</span> numbers this year aren't remarkably different than his career numbers, but he's getting to the rim less this season than in the past and favoring longer jumpers and three-pointers more. Did Doc Rivers tweak the Clippers' offense this summer, or is Paul just naturally adjusting his game to sustain less wear-and-tear on his body as he ages?</span></i>
</div>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">TW: </a></b>This goes a little to my previous response, and the answer again is unclear. Certainly, the shape of the offense has changed following Alvin Gentry's defection to the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a>. The Clippers' offense is more perimeter-oriented than ever before, and you will see whole possessions where no Clipper ventures within 20 feet of the basket.</p>
<p>Specifically addressing Chris Paul, I would guess that it’s an active choice to stay out of the paint. I fully believe (and support) that he paces himself during the regular season. This notion is not new. I think he's done this every season since his knee injury in New Orleans. He may be especially conservative with his energy now because he knows this team's bread won't be buttered until April, May, and hopefully June. Paul has looked sluggish in playoffs past after using up too much fuel too early, and as a smallish guard whose primary athletic attribute — I’m not talking about handles or vision or shooting — is his speed, he’s wise to stay out of top gear until its absolutely necessary. In that sense, Blake has been a perfect complement to him as a high-minute, 82-game workhorse. I think Paul has a higher performance ceiling, but Blake produces on a nightly basis in a way that allows Paul to think long-term.</p>
<div>
<span></span><span class="im"><span><span class="im"><span class="im"><span class="im"><b><span class="im">BE: </span></b></span></span></span></span></span><i><span class="im"><span>DeAndre Jordan blocks a ton of shots, but he allows opponents to <a href="http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#%21/player/defense/?sort=FGP_DEFEND_RIM&dir=-1&CF=GP*GE*20%7CFGA_DEFEND_RIM*GE*5" target="_blank">shoot a better percentage at the rim</a> than elite frontcourt defenders like <span>Andrew Bogut</span>, <span>Roy Hibbert</span>, Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan. Jordan is obviously really good at defending the paint, but do his blocks inflate his reputation at all? Can anyone else in the Clippers' frontcourt defend effectively?</span></span></i>
</div>
<div>
<span><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">TW: </a></b></span></span>I think he <i>can</i> be really good at defending the paint. DeAndre Jordan is a seven-foot microcosm of this team. He has physical gifts that are bettered by few big men in the NBA, but in this, his seventh year, he can still be an inconsistent, undisciplined mess. Even my wife, a basketball novice who still confuses small and power forward, has remarked that DeAndre jumps up and down and all around seemingly without a plan. ESPN's Real Plus-Minus likes him just fine, ranking him 6th in the defensive component and ahead of defensive luminaries Hibbert, Howard, and Tyson Chandler, but, as you mentioned, he regularly allows a high conversion rate at the rim.</div>
<div>
<p>Part of the problem may be that Doc has stuck with an aggressive scheme that brings DeAndre to the perimeter to guard pick and rolls. DeAndre has the mobility to do this, and his length can push the opponent into turnovers, but he can be baited into block attempts that land him near the foul line, and teams with savvy big men can back-cut the Clippers to death with little drop passes in the paint. Go watch what <span>David Lee</span> did in last year’s playoffs. I wonder if shots like these boost his allowed conversion rate. Technically they are shots at the rim, even if he's not in between the shooter and the rim.</p>
<p>The interior defense (or perhaps, lack thereof) may be the trait that ultimately defines this year’s squad. Blake lacks length and exacerbates his physical shortcomings with a lack of consistent engagement on the defensive end. <span>Spencer Hawes</span> brings size and Glen Davis has nimbler feet than you would expect from such a, um, voluminous individual, but with Blake and DeAndre taking the lion’s share of minutes, it’s their success that is most pivotal. DeAndre is long, Blake is quick, and if they could tighten up their positioning to a point where they are moving synchronously, this team would be an above-average to good defensive team, even with the underwhelming perimeter defenders on the roster. But these two have played together for several years and have now logged more than 100 games under Doc’s tutelage and system. It’s disheartening that after so long, they still seem to commit fundamental mistakes.</p>
</div>
<p><span class="im"><span><span class="im"><b><span class="im">BE: </span></b></span></span></span><i><span class="im"><span>I thought Spencer Hawes and <span>Jordan Farmar</span> were great pickups for L.A. this summer, especially considering their respective price tags. How have their individual performances been so far this year?</span></span></i><span><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures"></a></b></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">TW: </a></b></span></span>Remember when I mentioned FML? Ugh, in the summer, I thought these were good additions, too. Unfortunately, they each seem to have caught whatever <span>Jared Dudley</span> had last year. Maybe some hockey teams left the mumps lying around Staples Center. Whatever it is, no one has drawn more of the fanbase’s ire than these two. Farmar has underachieved to the point that the Clippers have become the first franchise to regret letting Darren Collison go. I even saw a round of "Where’s <span>Eddie House</span> when you need him?" jokes on Twitter. At least, I think they were jokes…</p>
<div>
<p>Hawes has been the stickier problem because he cost the Clippers the full midlevel. Also, he may have cost them Paul Pierce. Yikes, right? Hawes seemed like a perfect fit as a player who could potentially line up next to either of the starting bigs, but he’s been a miserable shooter so far. You said it on the flipside of our Q&A (shameless plug!), but <span>Chris Kaman</span> has arguably outperformed him at a fraction of the cost.</p>
<p>Each of these signings may come to be considered major missteps. These two were supposed to restock the bench, a group that has been a strength going back to the <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> teams. Instead, their underachievement has underscored the underperforming bench play, which has cost the Clippers several games and forced Doc to lean on his stars more heavily than expected. If Chris Paul and Blake Griffin flame out before May, Farmar and Hawes will be more than a little responsible.</p>
</div>
<p><span class="im"><span><span class="im"><b><span class="im">BE: </span></b></span></span><i><span>How is <span>Jamal Crawford</span> doing off the bench? It's seems like Rivers has no choice but to let him do his thing, which is dominating the ball and either scoring in bunches or dribbling around for several seconds and putting up ill-advised jumpers. Has that act worn thin in Los Angeles?</span></i><br> </span></p>
<div>
<span><span><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NotCatPictures">TW: </a></b></span></span>Jamal has been his usual self, which means he's equally capable of shooting the Clippers into or out of a game. Unfortunately for Doc, he's the only bench player capable of shooting at all on some nights. Far too frequently, Crawford will contribute each of the Clippers' first 8 or 10 bench points. Some of this is because he's Iversonian in his ball dominance. A lot of this is because his benchmates are punchless.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Despite all this, I get the distinct impression that he is the Clipper most fans would like to see traded for reinforcement elsewhere, most likely at small forward. Crawford has gotten more minutes as a crunch-time 3 than you would righteously expect from a contender, and when playing with the starters, his Maverick ways are less "save the day" and more "uh oh, Goose is dead."</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>In recent weeks, Lob City has become Rumor City, and the biggest names have included Nate Robinson and Austin Rivers. Some have speculated that these players could serve as replacements for the aforementioned disappointment Farmar, but I wonder if Doc is actually setting up a Crawford trade. Robinson and Rivers are best used as bench scorers, which happens to be Crawford's role. Robinson in particular has demonstrated that he can be an effective one-man playoff offense for brief stretches. If the Clippers were to add a player of Crawford's ilk, I wouldn't be surprised to see him shipped out, with his most likely destination being a contender that can offer a younger or cheaper asset that could be sent to Denver for <span>Arron Afflalo</span> or <span>Wilson Chandler</span>.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>-- Chris Lucia | bedgecast@gmail.com | <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLucia_BE" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Twitter</a>
</div>
<div>
<p align="left"> </p>
<p align="left"><i>Sam Tongue's Key Matchup:</i></p>
<p align="left"> </p>
<iframe src="https://www.blazersedge.com/videos/iframe?id=63116" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="63116-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe>
</div>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/14/7544003/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-previewChris Lucia