This is a year of firsts for me in terms of this Blazer season. To me, Boston was a place they didn’t win in, Golden State was a place they couldn’t win in, and finally the dreaded Staples Center. The past couple of games here have been traumatic nightmares in their own right. Whether you want to talk about the referees and how there might be questionable calls or just the Kobe-takeover in the fourth quarter, the Blazers have had their struggles here. Well, fear not as the Blazers were able to get a much-needed win as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers, for the first time since 2010, 114-108.
This was a game the Blazers really needed. They have a tough, tough week ahead of them as they face the Indiana Pacers, who are probably the best team in the NBA right now, tomorrow followed by games this week against OKC and Dallas. This was a game that was very winnable and with three days off and the Lakers having to play a game on Friday, the Blazers seemed to have the edge going into the game. Well, that would be the case as the Blazers jumped out to a 19-2 lead in the first quarter. A little bit of the Blazers shooting well, but I think it was mostly the Lakers shooting absolutely horrid. The Lakers were getting wide-open looks and they were just not falling for them. This lead would evaporate and it would eventually become a game. This has been something that the Blazers have and need to continue to work on is getting that kind of a lead and being able to continue cruising. It happened twice this game.
The Blazers outscored the Lakers 32-24 in the first quarter and looked very solid. But, if you are like me, you are not comfortable when are playing the Lakers. Crazy stuff just seems to happen in this building and I wouldn’t have been surprised if the Lakers were able to explode and win by 30. The Lakers went on their first run and outscored the Blazers 26-21 in the second quarter to cut the lead down to 3 at the half. The defense for both teams was really nothing to write home about. The Lakers have questionable defense at this moment and the Blazers were struggling at times. The Blazers were able to make stops when it counted, but about 60% of the time, the Lakers were able to weave their way through and get a lay-up. Not good. The Blazers came out on fire as they outscored the Lakers 41-26 in the third quarter to actually regain their massive lead from earlier. I saw this as another chance to not blow it. I was not comfortable by any means as we still had one quarter to play, but I felt like we had a good shot at that point.
Cue the beginning of the fourth where the Blazers started getting too physical on defense and were called for two quick fouls. Not a great way to start. It was almost the same movie as the second quarter as the Lakers were hitting shot after shot and the Blazers could not buy a bucket. The Blazers did not actually hit a bucket until there was 5:31 left in the clock. Good defense by the Blazers was evident in the beginning as the Lakers missed on three straight possessions. The Blazers were just unable to take advantage of those moments. With 3:29 remaining, the Lakers cut the lead down to 1. For me and every Blazer fan you are probably thinking “here we go again”. I, however, still had a lingering hope that this team could pull it out. LaMarcus Aldridge was able to hit some clutch free throws and Lillard hit a wacky 26-foot three pointer to put the Blazers up by 4 and that was pretty much it. The foul game was played, but ultimately the Blazers were able to get out of there with a win. It was real dicey for the last half of the fourth quarter, but some cold-blooded shooting by Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Wesley Matthews iced the game.
The MVPs tonight were basically the starting lineup. We need all five of them to do their part tonight to pull out a win. However, this was a pretty standard Lillard/Aldridge game with help from the supporting cast.
LaMarcus Aldridge got his shooting stroke back as he ended the night with 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. LA got the Blazers off to such a hot start and continued to do so throughout the game. LA was able to get a lot of rest in the second quarter and some of the third so that he could be as fresh as possible for the fourth. LA continues to be that rock and when his shot is falling, it is really hard to stop him. He was eventually drawing double-teams, but, again, he could kick it out to three or sometimes four three-point shooters. This was just another all-star performance from him.
Damian Lillard is still not shooting particularly good, but he was able to have a way bigger impact than in the Phoenix game and his cool head much needed at the end. He ended the night with 26 points on 7-for-19 shooting, 4-for-9 from three, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. That is more like it! Lillard was very punctual tonight. Whenever there was a shooting lull for the team, he always seemed to come up with a much-needed bucket. One thing I have noticed is that he seems to have about one freak three a game. For example, when the Lakers were only down by 1 with 3:14 left, Lillard hit a falling back 26-foot three to put the Blazers up by 4. He has done that a few times. The OT game in Toronto games to mind. The Phoenix game in Portland also comes to mind. I do not know what it is, but just when you think the Blazers might fold, he delivers. He also deserves a lot of credit for playing excellent defense on Jodie Meeks in the closing seconds. Lillard was able to block Jodie Meeks shot and ultimately turn it into free throws. Much like Wesley Matthews did against James Harden last year. I was surprised he was able to get it. To be in that situation, in Staples Center when the crowd is hopping, that takes a lot of guts and cold-bloodedness to pull something like that off. This was just a very nice cap to an already fantastic game for Damian Lillard.
Honorable mentions tonight are Batum and Lopez. Batum flirted with a triple-double and ended the night with 9 points on 4-for-9 shooting, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds. Doing it all and playing solid defense on Meeks or Wesley Johnson. Robin Lopez was banging in the paint with Jordan Hill and Pau Gasol as he ended the night with 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting and with 12 rebounds (6 offensive). Lopez’s offensive rebounding numbers have been impressive recently. Something I’ll have to keep an eye on to see if this trend does continue.
Well, this week does not get any easier as the Blazers take on the Indiana Pacers in the Moda Center tomorrow at 7:00 PM PST. The Pacers are THE best team in the NBA right now and they are steamrolling opponents. Paul George is emerging and blowing up and Roy Hibbert should win defensive player of the year this year. I do not need to say much after that. Blazers better get their hardhats on and go to work tomorrow. Stay tuned!!