Game 5 Results in a Loss at Home Against Atlanta

Tonight the Blazers played their 5th season game against the Atlanta Hawks at home. The game started out pretty quietly and slowly with little intensity shown from our team. We were able to take an early lead and extend that through the end of the first quarter leading 25 - 15. As the 2nd quarter went on though, the Hawks were able to find their rhythm and players, especially Crawford were able to dominate in the paint. The Blazers' lead was cut down to 48 - 47 at the end of the first half. For the third and fourth quarters, the Hawks took the lead and ran with it playing passionately and fighting in the paint. The Hawks are the first team to out rebound the Blazers so far this season getting 45 rebounds total against our 36. Their field goal average was 46.2% versus the Blazers' 42.4%. The Hawks outscored the Blazers in the paint 50 - 34.

On the game Brandon Roy said, "There's some things I felt like I could've done, but I didn't." Referring to his only 3 shots in the fourth quarter. Roy left the game with 19 points and 6 assists. He also talked about the Blazers' lack of passion in this game saying, "They made plays, they wanted it and we didn't do anything to stop them. But I'm not gonna put my head down. I'm going to get back to work."
LaMarcus Aldridge, who you might recall was listed as questionable to even play in this game due to a knee bone contusion acquired in the OKC game on Sunday, definitely had his rhythm tonight and was the Blazers' high scorer. He left the game with a double double: 20 points and 14 rebounds. That was definitely a surprise considering we didn't even know if he would be playing.
Travis Outlaw also had a pretty big night with 19 points and 3 rebounds.
McMillan said in the post game interview that the team would take a break tomorrow before coming back on Thursday to prepare for San Antonio on Friday and their 5 game road trip starting Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.


Here is a post-game video with LMA and B Roy talking about tonight's game:

Hawks 97, Blazers 91

It was definitely a disappointing game for the sell out crowd at the Rose Quarter tonight. I was able to snag a couple of pictures from tonight's game including one pretty awesome picture of B Roy attacking the paint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Pic of the night ^^^^ Might be blurry but I'm workin' with a cheap Nikon, not a Canon Rebel guys.  :)

And check out Nicolas Batum(who is out with a shoulder injury) lookin' all GQ with his suit and super intense arm sling:

The Blazers next play San Antonio on Friday at the Rose Quarter.

(First two pics: NBA)