PORTLAND — First day of the second semester, and the Blazers nailed the initial quiz. Granted, this was one of those open-book, just-make-sure-you-show-up-to-class freebies, but still.
After finishing the first half of the season just one game above .500, Portland aims to go from keeping its head above water to sitting safely on the shore. It took that first stroke Monday, scoring a season-high point total and beating Minnesota, 113-102.
A win over the Timberwolves (10-32) is common for most NBA teams, but for the Blazers in particular. Monday marked the 15th time Portland finished the game with more points than Minnesota, and two stats helped explain why: The season-high 38 points the Blazers scored in the third quarter, and the career-high 37 points LaMarcus Aldridge scored in the game.
Going head-to-head with Kevin Love, arguably his primary competition for a spot on the Western Conference All Star team, Aldridge delivered a persuasive argument by hitting 15 of his 24 field goal attempts and nabbing 12 rebounds.
Regardless of who was guarding him, he dissected Minnesota in the post, off pick and rolls and on the offensive glass. Whether Aldridge ends up suiting up or kicking back during All-Star weekend remains to be seen, but seeing how he is averaging 27.4 points and 10.3 rebounds in 2011, he doesn’t need to convince anybody in Portland of his capabilities.
“Hey, he’s learning how to play. I mean, he is really learning how to be a number one option,” Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. “I think the media was building this up as two guys who deserve to be in the All-Star game. LaMarcus didn’t say anything about it but he played big. He played like an All Star tonight.”
Love led Minnesota with 22 points and 17 rebounds, but Aldridge denied that facing him any incentive. His play says otherwise.
Aldridge is averaging 33.7. points in his three games against the Timberwolves this year. When he last faced them at Rose Garden in mid-December, he had an opportunity to set a career-high point total with one free throw in the final minute, but missed on both attempts. A similar chance came Monday night as Aldridge stepped to the foul line with 1:49 remaining, needing two free throws to surge past his former high of 36 points. This time, he made them, but not with a touch of apprehension.
Did you know you needed two free throws to get your career-high? Aldridge was asked after the game.
“I didn’t, but Nic (Batum) came and told me,” said Aldridge, who was also aware of his point total when he clanked the aforementioned foul shots a month earlier. “I was like ‘why tell me that?'”
Aldridge has maintained for weeks that an All-Star appearance is not a point of emphasis for him; that craving a selection in year’s past has only led to disappointment.
And while he was clearly the horse carrying the Blazers Monday, it wasn’t like he was without help.
Wesley Matthews scored 23 points for Portland (22-20) and hit three of his six 3-point attempts. Andre Miller added 15 points and 10 assists, while Rudy Fernandez scored 13 points and collected a career-high five steals.
McMillan was asked after the game if Fernandez takes chances defensively.
“Yes he does,” McMillan said. “I thought in the second half we were gambling and missing on a lot of them. But I like the aggressiveness.”
The one blemish on the Blazers’ night was center Marcus Camby leaving with a sore left knee after the first quarter and not returning.
There was no official word on his chances of playing against Sacramento Wednesday, but a media outlet reported that he will have an MRI today.
