Where has this offense and defense been these last couple of games? It’s like the real Blazers decided to take a couple of days off to refuel. Well, they came back tonight as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Orlando Magic 110-94 on Wednesday Night at the Moda Center. The night started with the same woes that hounded the Blazers in the Sacramento game, but the difference was that the Blazers showed up in the second half, particularly the fourth quarter.
I am sure Trail Blazer fans were scared yet again as the Orlando Magic took a 51-45 lead into halftime and were making the Blazers look silly. For most of the first half, the Blazers’ offense and defense looked a step slow. Players were coming off screens slower, there was no extra pass being made, Orlando was flowing offensively and running down the lane for an easy basket or a foul and there was a point where the Trail Blazers looked like they were walking down the court while getting back on defense. Not a great way to start your game, especially on your home floor.
At least the Blazers did not wait around to play energetic defense as they cranked it up in the third quarter. They outscored the Magic 26-24 in the third quarter, but you could tell that the veteran presence was becoming a factor against a young team in the Magic and the sluggishness was wearing. The Blazers finally decided to play the game. This was evident in the fourth quarter as the Blazers exploded outscoring the Magic by 20 and sent them packing.
One of the MVPs of this comeback was the return of Thomas Robinson into the rotation. Almost immediately the energy he brought was felt. The defense had life, rebounds were being fought for again and the Blazers were gaining second chance opportunities that have helped them out so much up until this point. Thomas Robinson only played 11 minutes, but provided 6 points on 3-for-3 shooting and had 3 rebounds. He was also a +22 on the night, in 11 minutes. Think about that. He had an impressive put-back dunk to seal the deal for the Blazers and really sealed a night for Robinson. Tonight showed that he should be back in the rotation in some form. Blazer fans have probably asked the question of where the energy was in the second quarter. I would answer that it might have something to do with Thomas Robinson not playing these last few games. No matter what he does on the court statistically or IQ-wise, he brings urgency and toughness and that spreads to all the members on the court. He helps by just being there.
Tonight also saw the much-anticipated debut of C.J. McCollum, the number 10 pick of the 2013 draft. He didn’t blow away anybody stat-wise, but it was good to see him finally get some run and he provided 4 points on 2-for-5 with 2 rebounds in just 14 minutes. The little bit Blazer fans saw tonight was encouraging. He obviously has the ability to create his own shot and is just another three-point threat that can be added to the arsenal. His defense was also impressive. While not spectacular, McCollum kept up with the Victor Oladipo who has an insane motor. Blazer fans should look forward to watching him play as McCollum has tremendous upside.
The Blazers, yet again, were not lights-out from three as they went 9-for-30 as a team and shot 30%. However, the three showed up when it counted as the Blazers swished four in the fourth quarter to help in their run. A couple of stats impressed me tonight from the Blazers. One, they only had 7 TOs. With the ball feeling like it was covered in butter these last couple of games, the Blazers took care of the ball and didn’t seem to make as many lazy passes as they have in the past week. Two, points in the paint. Alert the presses, the Blazers outscored a team in points in the paint. The Orlando Magic were only able to muster 24 points in the paint without the help of their rebounding vaccum Nikola Vecevic (concussion) and the Blazers were able to abuse that by scoring 42 of their own in the paint. This is a momentous occasion and I didn’t think this day would come. Finally, the Blazers had 9 blocks to the Magic’s 2. LaMarcus Aldridge provided 3 and Lopez provided 2. It was impressive and great to see as this team has worked so hard to be a better defensive team. Blocks are a good start.
LaMarcus Aldridge had an MVP-caliber night as he finished with 36 points on 16-for-25 shooting, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. LA had his way all night as the Magic had no big man other than Glen “Big Baby” Davis. LA answered in the fourth by nailing two back-to-back shots that pushed the Blazer lead to 10 in the fourth quarter and continued to swish them to further wipe away any sort of comeback by the Magic. Oddly enough, this felt like a quiet 36 points from LA. There were no big heroic plays or insane shots, he was just being LA and ended up just making a lot of shots.
Nicolas Batum was able to record his fourth double-double of his career by finishing with 14 points on 6-for-14 shooting, 2-for-6 from three, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. Batum did not actually get his triple-double until he grabbed a rebound with 0:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. The team even cleared out for him. If Batum is going to continue to play like this with his broken finger, maybe he should break them more often. All Blazer fans probably were afraid that this finger injury was going to be very similar to the wrist injury that dogged him for most of last season. Well, it is safe to say that it will not be the case. Batum’s defense is continuing to be solid and got even better in the second half. His rundown blocks are becoming a thing to watch out for and he had another beautiful one tonight.
Well, Blazer fans can sleep well tonight as the two-game losing streak is a thing of the past. This game looked dicey for a while, but the Blazers responded and were able to strike back with impunity in the second half. The Blazers will have a nice couple of days off before taking on the Boston Celtics Saturday night at the Moda Conter at 7:00 p.m. PST. The Blazers had no trouble with the Celtics earlier in the season and I see no reason why they should have trouble with them now if the Blazers can continue to play like the way they did tonight. Stay tuned!