Blazers Clip Past the Los Angeles Clippers

Last night, the Blazers met with the Clippers at the Rose Garden after a nice long rest during All-Star weekend. This game came directly after Blazers general manager, Kevin Pritchard, made a deal with LAC to trade Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake & money considerations for Marcus Camby (see last post). With the 2009-2010 season dwindling down, the Blazers were looking to come off AS Weekend strong with a nice win propelling them into a rough hunt for the playoffs.

Starting Cinco:

LaMarcus Aldridge
Martell Webster
Andre Miller
Juwan Howard
Brandon Roy

You're eyes do no deceive you, Brandon Roy is finally "back." I say that cautiously though since BRoy didn't finish out the game, he had to come out after only 15 minutes of play and then stay out because his hammy fired up. He finished with only 4 points. The high scorer of the night for Portland was none other than Marty Marty DOWNTOWN Party who tied his career high of 28 points and also tallied 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Martell Webster threw the Marty Party at the RG last night and made big shots down the stretch for the Blazers to help keep an edge over the Clippers. LaMarcus Aldridge took a close silver spot with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assits, 3 steals and 1 block.

Here's a look at the rest of the box score:

The Blazers played a great game overall shooting 49.3% from the field, a big 55.6% from 3-pt range and 78.1% from the line. With only 9 turnovers and 25 assists the Blazers went to work on the Clippers and never let up. Portland went on to win the game 109 - 87.

Photo Of the Night:

You can just hear Roy screaming: "UGH my leg is falling off!!" Get well soon BRoy, we need you 100%

Portland next faces the Boston Celtics on Friday. (This game will also be Marcus Camby's debut as a Blazer)

•  The Trail Blazers scored five straight points to force overtime, but Ray Allen’s three-
pointer with 41 seconds to play in the extra period proved to be the game winner in Boston’s 98-95 victory on Feb. 10 in the first game of the 2009-10 series. Andre Miller led all players with 28 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists.
•  Portland and Boston split last season’s series for the first time since 2004-05, with
each team winning on its home floor.
•  The Trail Blazers snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Celtics with a 91-86 win
on Dec. 30, 2008. In the absence of an injured Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez made his first career start, scoring eight points.
•  Portland’s 78 points (to Boston’s 93) on Dec. 5, 2008, are the fewest scored by either
team in series history. The Trail Blazers averaged 84.5 points in two games last season, the fewest against any NBA opponent.
•  The Trail Blazers held the Celtics to 43.6% shooting (22.2% 3-PT) last season but posted only a 44.0% shooting mark (30.8% 3-PT) of their own in two games.
•  Portland recorded 10 blocks to Boston’s two rejections in two meetings last season.
•  The Trail Blazers tallied only 25 assists on 62 field goals in two games vs. Boston in 2008-09. The Celtics had 35 assists on 61 baskets.
•  Portland’s .406 (39-57) all-time winning percentage against Boston is its lowest mark among all current NBA opponents. The Celtics are the NBA’s only active team with a winning record in Portland (25-23).
•  On Draft Day 2006, Portland dealt Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second round pick to Boston in exchange for Raef LaFrentz, Dan Dickau and the draft rights to Randy Foye. Foye’s rights were then traded to Minnesota for the draft rights to Brandon Roy.
•  Nate McMillan coached Boston guard Ray Allen from 2003-05 in Seattle.
•  The Celtics’ Rasheed Wallace ranks No. 8 in points, No. 6 in rebounds, No. 7 in 3-pointers made, No. 3 in blocks and No. 5 in minutes played among Portland’s all-time leaders.
•  Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers for two seasons, averaging 10.4 points in 161 games from 1990-92.

(Pictures: ESPN Sports)