<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Blazers Week In Review 12-15

By Erik Gundersen, Columbian Trail Blazers Writer
Published: December 14, 2014, 4:00pm

Blazer Beef

Friday’s loss to the Bulls saw forgettable performances from the Blazers’ defense and their bench.

Derrick Rose and back-up point guard Aaron Brooks got whatever they wanted in the paint against the Blazers. Rookie Nikola Mirotic was consistently beating Portland’s big men down the court in transition.

With Portland’s offense having slipped in production from second in the league to top-ten, Portland’s defense and having key bench contributions has been key to their early success.

Their need for sustained defensive excellence and steady bench contributions is magnified with Nicolas Batum still shooting an ice-cold 24 percent from 3.

The Blazers loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday was certainly uglier to watch. They had 20 turnovers and missed 25 3-pointers to lose to the last place team in the Western Conference.

Blazer Bravo

While we just got done bashing their defense against Chicago, it served as a reminder of how solid the Blazers’ defense has been this season. Without it, who knows where they would be.

Their offense has slipped from the elite level it was last season but their defense has risen to a top-five level according to NBA.com.

They got into a shootout with the Bulls but Portland isn’t winning that way right now and hasn’t won that way this season.

Saturday, they got back to their winning formula by holding the Pacers to just 85 points.

It was a treat to finally see Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose go at it full tilt on Friday.

By The Numbers

2 — Wesley Matthews is second in the NBA in 3-pointers made with 66, one behind Atlanta’s Kyle Korver.

9 — Opponents have scored over 100 points against the Blazers in 9 of out of 24 games. They are 5-4 in those games.

28 — The Blazers are 28th in the league in free-throw attempt rate according to NBA.com.

The Week Ahead

Monday vs. San Antonio (7 p.m., CSN) — The defending champs make their first trip to the Rose City since beating the Blazers in last year’s Western Conference semis.

Wednesday vs. Milwaukee Bucks (7 p.m., CSN) — New coach Jason Kidd, rookie Jabari Parker and the improvement of second-year Greek national Giannis Antetokounmpo has them thinking playoffs.

Friday at San Antonio (7 p.m., CSN, ESPN) — Blazers start a four-game Western Conference road trip.

Saturday at New Orleans (4 p.m., CSN) — MVP candidate Anthony Davis missed Sunday’s game with a chest injury but it doesn’t sound too serious. The Pelicans consider him day-to-day.

Loading...
Columbian Trail Blazers Writer