Thunder Hits Portland--Up Next Toronto

Thursday night the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled into town to take on the Blazers. This was the first home game after the Blazers successful 3-1 road trip and with OKC being a conference rival it was an important game to say the least.

Starting 5:
LaMarcus Aldridge
Marcus Camby
Nicolas Batum
Andre Miller
Brandon Roy

LaMarcus Aldridge once again was the player of the game. The beard man scored 22 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. He shot 11-19 from the field. LaMarcus has been one of the most consistent guys on the team! Night after night he is getting the job done and in the first few minutes of the game, he was the only Blazer who scored any points at all. The only thing that I'm not too happy about was that LMA shot 0-0 from the line. I was actually shocked looking at that stat. The L-Train has been doing a much better job at getting to the line but just couldn't get there on Thursday. Brandon Roy had a nice game with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He shot 6-17 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the line. I have to say though, this game really belonged to Nicolas Batum. Nico has been struggling to keep a rhythm so far but Thursday that rhythm finally came back. He scored 16 points alonf with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Batum was all over the place that night working hard on both the offensive and defensive ends. Nico guarded Kevin Durant for most of the night and though KD was able to score 28 points, he was only 2-5 from beyond the arch, showing that Nicolas made Kevin go to the hoop and work for those points. It was good to see Batum really get back into the swing of things and I hope he's able to take that game and only build on it Saturday.

Box Score:

Oklahoma City won the game 107-106 in OT.

This game was won at the free throw line. Oklahoma City shot 24-26 from the line (92%) and Portland shot 16-20 (80%) with some players (cough, LMA, cough) not making it to the free throw line at all. When a game is won or lost by such a small number I always look at the free throw percentage. In a close game, free throws are HUGE. Next, I look at rebounds. Extra possessions can make or break a game. OKC out-rebounded POR by 9 (47 rebounds to our 38). The Thunder out-rebounded us on the defensive end with 32 to our 23. Those extra possessions allowed Oklahoma to break the Blazers 12 point lead and eventually take the win in OT.

Photo(s) of the Night:

The team officially announced the dedication of this season to Maurice Lucas Thursday night with Lucas' family in attendance.

Homeless Sonics mascot. 

The Blazers next take on the Toronto Raptors at the Rose Garden Saturday night.

• The Trail Blazers have won four straight games in the series, tying for Portland’s longest win streak over Toronto (2002-03). 

• Portland has swept Toronto, 2-0, each of the past two seasons. The Trail Blazers have also won the last three matchups at the 

Rose Garden with the last loss coming Dec. 22, 2006 (101-100 OT). 

• Toronto’s top two scorers (Chris Bosh, 28.0, and Hedo Turkoglu, 19.0) from last year’s season series against Portland are no longer 

with the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani (13.0) averaged the most points against Portland last season among Toronto’s returning players. 

• Four Trail Blazers averaged at least 15 points vs. the Raptors last season. Brandon Roy led the way with a 20.0 scoring average 

while LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Andre Miller each averaged 15.5 points per game. 

• Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge were selected fi rst and second overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. 

• Brandon Roy logged his fi rst career double-double on Dec. 22, 2006, against the Raptors, with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go 

along with eight assists. 

• Portland shot 51.4 percent (18-35) from 3-point range against Toronto last season. Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum each 

hit six total shots from downtown in two games against the Raptors last year. 

• Portland committed only 18 turnovers against the Raptors in two meetings last season while forcing Toronto into 27 turnovers. 

• With a 105.0 scoring average against Toronto last season, Portland’s average margin of victory over the Raptors was 12.5 points 

in two games last season. 

• Toronto’s last two victories over Portland have both come in overtime. The last time Toronto won a game in regulation against the 

Trail Blazers was Feb. 12, 2006, in Toronto. 

• Marcus Camby was drafted second overall by the Toronto Raptors in 1996. Camby played 126 games in two seasons for Toronto 

while blocking a total of 360 shots. 

• Rudy Fernandez plays on the Spanish National Team with Toronto guard Jose Calderon. Calderon matched the record for assists 

by a Raptor against the Trail Blazers with 13 on Dec. 7, 2008. 

• Toronto guard Jarrett Jack posted 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in three seasons with the Trail Blazers from 2005-08. 

ALSO: The Portland Trail Blazers have announced that they signed C Sean Marks today to replace Fabricio Oberto who retired Thursday due to a pre-diagnosed heart condition.


Sources: Yahoo Sports Media Notes

Portland Seals OKC's Fate & Golden State @ The Rose Garden -- A Preview

Unfortunately, I did not get to see the POR vs. OKC game live (seeing as I was laughing with Conan O' Brien in Eugene) BUT what I did see, I LOVED. Don't get me wrong, I love Brandon Roy and he is the undisputed leader of this team but this season at least, it seems this team plays more like a TEAM when Brandon goes down, like something clicks and a new sense of urgency is instilled and everyone plays up the level they're capable of. When I say everyone, in the OKC game's case, I mean Marcus Camby. Say what you want about missing Travis and Steve (I still do) but the Camby trade had to be the best move we made this year. I truly believe that if Camby was not on this team, we wouldn't be looking forward to a possible 6th seed berth in the playoffs, or the playoffs at all for that matter. Camby went for an incredible 30 points on 12-16 from the field, 13 rebounds and 3 steals. He lead this team to the win and will hopefully lead us to even more wins in the post season and beyond. Portland's win over OKC also sealed the Thunder's fate in the playoffs as they are now locked in the 8th seed and will meet the Lakers in the first round.

Here's A Look At The Rest of the Box Score:

Photo of the Night:

MAR-CUS CAMBY *clapclap* *clapclapclap*

*If you'd like to hear the audio of the Rose Garden going CRAZY and chanting Marcus' name, please listen and download it HERE

The Blazers next game is their last regular season game and it's against the Golden State Warriors at the Rose Garden. It is Fan Night so those of you who, like me, will be in attendance be sure to bring the energy and make it loud to celebrate this great season and our playoff berth! 

                                       Probable Starters:

Portland Trail Blazers:                                    Golden State Warriors:

  LaMarcus Aldridge                                           Corey Maggette

    Nicolas Batum                                                Anthony Tolliver

   Marcus Camby                                                  Ronny Turiaf

  Rudy Fernandez*                                                Monta Ellis

    Andre Miller                                                    Stephen Curry

* -- Rudy is getting the start in place of Brandon Roy who is out with a knee injury

• Golden State has won 13 of the past 19 games in the series. Already with a 2-1 series lead, the Trail Blazers are a win Wednesday away from their first series win since 2002- 03, when they earned a 4-0 sweep. 

• Portland has won each of the last four games against Golden State at the Rose Garden.

• The Warriors had won nine straight meetings in Oakland before the Trail Blazers gained a 27-9 advantage in the fourth quarter in a come-from-behind win, 110-105, on March 11. 

• The Trail Blazers have earned a 141-109 rebounding edge, including a 52-33 margin on the offensive glass, in three meetings between the teams this season.

• In three series contests, Brandon Roy leads Portland with 31.7 points per game (32- 55 FG). Andre Miller has added 17.3 points per contest. 

• Portland has closed the season at home against Golden State three times before, compiling a 2-1 record in those contests. The teams last met in a regular season finale on April 18, 2007, a victory for the Warriors, 120-98.

• Golden State won last season’s series, 2-1, with the home team winning all three contests. 

• The winning team has scored more than 100 points in each of the last 13 games in the series. Both teams averaged better than 105 points per game (Portland, 105.7; Golden State, 105.3) in three meetings last year.

• The Trail Blazers earned a 125-112 rebounding advantage, including a 46-34 edge on the offensive glass, in three series games in 2008-09. Portland outscored Golden State in the paint, 144-110. 

• The Warriors gained 30 points on the Trail Blazers in three games by shooting 90-for- 100 (90.0%) from the free throw line last year. Portland went 60-for-77 (77.9%).

• Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 26.0 points (58.0% FG, 6-9 3-PT), 5.3 assists and 2.67 steals (tied) in three games against the Warriors last season. 

• Portland committed 56 turnovers, including a season-high 23 in Oakland on Feb. 12, while Golden State tallied 47 turnovers in three meetings last season.

• Warriors Head Coach Don Nelson has coached more games vs. the Trail Blazers than any other active NBA head coach (52-54). 

• Golden State television broadcaster Jim Barnett played in Portland’s inaugural season in 1970-71, averaging a team second-best 18.5 points per game.

Let's go get that 51st win to close out a great season Portland!!

Picture: Yahoo! Sports

Thunder Rolls Over Portland

Last night the Blazers met with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Rose Garden. It was an exciting match-up with both teams being young and up and coming. The Blazers were looking to erase a devastating loss on Saturday to LA and OKC, winners of five straight, were looking to extend their winning streak and get a long awaited win in Portland. For both teams this was a big division game since the playoff race is extremely tight in the west.

Starting Cinco:

LaMarcus Aldridge
Martell Webster
Andre Miller
Juwan Howard
Nicolas Batuuuum

Nico joined the starting five once again last night in a line-up change hinted by Nate McMillan during the practice before the game. Andre Miller was our top scorer of the night with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Dante INFERNO Cunningham had another BIG night and was one of the few guys making things happen for us last night. Inferno scored a new career high, 14 points and also tallied 6 rebounds and 1 steal. Dante has been doing BIG things for us and I am so excited to see more from him.

Here's a look at the complete box score:

This game just wasn't good. The Blazers had no fight, no energy and just seemed to be going through the motions during this game. The cringe-factor was evident for both teams though as turnovers plagued the entire game for both sides. Once again, shots just didn't drop for us and getting to the paint was difficult, despite the fact we actually outscored OKC in the paint 40 - 30, but I think turnovers were a big deciding factor. We had a total of 24 team turnovers which were converted into 30 OKC points. Those stats are painful to the eyes and really hard to witness in person. It was just a real shame of a game knowing that this game had potential to be a big confidence booster for the Blazers if they came out with the right confidence and attitude.

Oklahoma City went on to win the game 89 - 77.

The Blazers are currently on a plane to Phoenix to take on ex-Blazer Channing Frye and the Phoenix Suns tomorrow night. 

•  Portland has won three straight games in the series (all in Portland) for the first time since a four-game win streak March 25-Dec. 5, 1999. 

•  The winning team has scored 100-plus points in 19 of the last 20 games in the series. 

•  Jerryd Bayless scored 16 of his 29 points (9-15 FG) in leading the Trail Blazers from 13 down in the fourth quarter to a 105-102 triumph over the Suns on Dec. 17 in the first meeting of this year’s series. Brandon Roy added 27 points and eight rebounds. 

•  Portland and Phoenix split last season’s series, with the home team winning all four games. Portland scored 110.3 points per game while allowing 109.3 points, both highs for the Trail Blazers in a Western Conference series last season. 

•  In 2008-09, Portland earned its first home sweep of Phoenix since 1998-99. In the wins, Portland posted two of its three highest scoring outputs of the season (124 points on Dec. 18, 129 points on March 26). 

•  Phoenix shot 53.5% from the floor in four games last season vs. Portland, the highest mark allowed by the Trail Blazers to any team, and 43.8% from long distance. The Trail Blazers shot 49.0% and 41.2%, respectively.

•  The Suns outrebounded the Trail Blazers, 152-138, in four contests last season while outscoring Portland, 202-156, in the paint.
The Trail Blazers held a 52-39 advantage on the offensive glass and a 64-51 edge in second-chance scoring.
•  The Suns had knocked off the Trail Blazers 11 consecutive times, the longest series streak against Portland at the time, before Brandon Roy’s career-high 52 points, tied for the second-most by a Trail Blazer in franchise history, lifted Portland past Phoenix, 124-119, on Dec. 18, 2009. Roy’s 19 free throws (of 21) also marked a franchise record.
•  Rudy Fernandez was acquired by Portland from Phoenix along with James Jones for cash considerations on July 11, 2007.
•  Phoenix center Channing Frye spent the past two seasons in a Trail Blazers uniform, averaging 5.6 points (46.4% FG), 3.5 rebounds and 14.8 minutes in 141 games. He attended the same college (Arizona) and high school (St. Mary’s, Phoenix) as Jerryd Bayless.
•  Suns center Jarron Collins participated in Portland’s 2009 training camp and preseason before being waived on Oct. 22.
•  Suns President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Steve Kerr played for Portland in 2001-02, netting 4.1 points in 65 games.

(Photos: Yahoo! Sports)

Thunder is Brewing in Portland

*cheesy title I know*

Tomorrow, the Blazers (30 - 23) welcome the Seattle Sonics Oklahoma City Thunder (28 - 21) to the Rose Garden.

•  Portland has won five straight games in the series at the Rose Garden, doing so by 12.8 points per game. The Trail Blazers have won four straight series meetings overall.

•  Portland earned an 83-74 win in the first meeting of this season’s series on Nov. 1 in Oklahoma City, marking Portland’s first road win of the year. The Thunder recorded a Trail Blazers opponent franchise-low six assists and shot just 34.3% (24-70) from the field.

•  With a 3-1 edge in 2008-09, the Trail Blazers won the series vs. the Thunder franchise for 

the first time since 2002-03. Portland outscored Oklahoma City by 26.3 points per win. 

•  Two of Portland’s league-best five wins by 30 points or more in 2008-09 came against 

the Thunder, including Portland’s largest margin of victory in series history, a 107-72 rout on April 3 in Oklahoma City. 

•  In four games between the teams last year, Portland held a distinct edge in field goal shooting (48.1%-41.5%) and three-point shooting (39.7%-18.9%). Both of Oklahoma City’s shooting marks were the lowest of any Western Conference team against Portland in 2008-09. 

•  The Trail Blazers outrebounded the Thunder, 196-146, in four games last season, including a 58-42 margin on the offensive end. 

•  Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 22.3 points in four contests against the Thunder last season. Travis Outlaw netted 17.8 points (56.9% FG) and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17.3 points (51.7% FG) and 10.5 rebounds. Aldridge counted a season-high 35 points (14-24 FG), one short of a career best, and a career-high 18 rebounds (seven off.) on April 3, 2009, at Oklahoma City. 

•  Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 18.5 points but shot 27-for-68 (39.7%) from the field in four contests vs. Portland a season ago. 

•  Nate McMillan played 12 seasons with the Thunder franchise from 1986-87 to 1997-98, averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.94 steals in 796 games. His 19 assists on Feb. 18, 1989, are tied for the most in a game vs. Portland in the history of the franchise. 

•  Jeff Pendergraph and Oklahoma City’s James Harden were the two leading scorers and rebounders at Arizona State during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons … The Trail Blazers and Thunder feature a combined six former Pac-10 players.

•  Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks posted a 162-139 (.538) mark in three-plus seasons as head coach of the Trail Blazers from 2001-05. Oklahoma City assistant coach Mark Bryant played seven seasons for the Trail Blazers, posting averages of 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 431 games in the red and black. 

1. Kevin Durant - OKC's all-star has been averaging a big 29.7 points per game. One of the leaders in the NBA in scoring. It will be crucial for our guys to play good defense on KD, as we did back when we played them earlier this season in OKC, we held Kevin to 16 points on just 3 - 21 from the field.
2. Fast Pace Game - Oklahoma likes to run and we need to keep up with them. OKC is going to want to keep this at a fast pace game and if we can control the tempo to get an early lead that will be essential to a Portland win.
3. Ball Don't Lie, Gotta Make Your Free Throws - For all that is good in the world please make your free throws Portland! I used to be able to count on LaMarcus for a good 2 - 2 from the line but now, I don't really know...free throws can make or break a game in the end.

Not a lot of keys tonight, it's been a long day and we tend to play really well against OKC so I'm crossing my fingers for a nice win after Saturday's devastating loss to the L*kers. As you can tell, I honestly didn't want to talk about it *hence the super short post*. I know if I would've tried writing about it I would've gotten really frustrated and thrown my computer out the window annnnd well, I can't afford a new computer. I'm always excited to see Kevin Durant play, I love Greg Oden and all but I will admit that back during the pre-draft times I was rooting for us to pick KD. 

*Special Note To My Fellow Bitter Sonic Fans: Tune in to the local Blazers broadcast Tuesday at 6:15pm! Sonicsgate director Jason Reid is on TV before the PDX vs OKC Blunder game! (For those of you who haven't been able to see it yet, Sonicsgate is an EXCELLENT documentary about the dealings that led up to the Sonics moving to OKC with interviews from sports writers and former Sonics players. The film will also be showing at the Portland Beer & Movie Fest check out the deets here: www.sonicsgate.org