A Close Game Results in a Blazer Loss at the King's Court

Coming into this game there was no expectations for the Blazers to win. Cleveland was coming off a two game losing streak, Portland was coming off a win but when the Cavaliers are at home you can bet they'll bring the energy.

Starting FIVE:

Brandon Roy

LaMarcus Aldridge

Martell Webster

Steve Blake

Joel Pryzbilla

Brandon Roy stepped up once again leading the Blazers in scoring with 23 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Roy shot a mere 9 - 25 from the field and 2 - 7 from three point range. LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Andre Miller added 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists to the mix. Also Notable: Juwan Howard went to work tonight and tallied 15 points and 1 rebound to the mix.

Box Score:

I have said it before, I will say it again, I will never be the one to blame the whole game on the referees but the officiating was shaky in this game. So, I'll just leave it at that. The effort was definitely there for the Blazers. They had an EXCELLENT first half out-scoring Cleveland 54% - 50% from the field and an outstanding 42% - 17% from 3-point range (due in high part to Martell Webster's hot start). Yet, as LeBron has been known to do, James had a quiet start and came out of the gate strong in the second half. Roy had it right saying, "If we relax for even one quarter we can get blown out by anybody." And that's precisely what happened. The Blazers relaxed for that fourth quarter and Cleveland took advantage of that and ran with it. Rebounding hurt us badly, Cleveland out-rebounded us by 10 total rebounds in the game. Things seemed to still be salvageable at the end of the 3rd when the score was tied 76 all but the Cavs pulled away in the fourth and despite an impressive 5 points in about 2 seconds by the Blazers with 12 seconds left on the clock, it just wasn't enough.

Cleveland went on to win the game 104 - 99.

The Blazers next play the Milwaukee Bucks in Milwaukee to end their four game road trip tomorrow at 7:30 PM CT or 5:30 PM PST. They are currently 1 - 2 on the trip.

Keys & Notes:

1. The Bucks’ .717 (38-15) winning percentage is the best of any Eastern Conference team on its home floor against Portland, but the Trail Blazers have won seven of the last 10 games in Milwaukee.
2. The Trail Blazers have won five consecutive meetings against the Bucks, including three straight at the Rose Garden. With a win Saturday, Portland would tie its longest win streak against the Bucks, all-time (six). Portland has won 14 of the last 20 games between the teams overall. 
3. Keep the Bucks Under 100 - The Bucks have a strong winning record when they reach 100 so far this season, they're 5 -2, so the Blazers need to keep this a low scoring game if they want to come away with the win. 
4. Contain Brandon Jennings - Bucks Rookie, Brandon Jennings has been key to the Bucks wins. Milwaukie is 6 - 3 when Jennings hits 3 or more threes and that's not even mentioning his points in the paint.
   

(Pictures: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images & Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)