Blazers notebook: Portland dials up a comeback from long distance

PORTLAND – The Portland Trail Blazers had been hot from 3-point range heading into Tuesday.

Then they were not.

And just in time, they were hot again.

In Tuesday’s 102-97 win over Toronto, Portland shot 2-for-16 in first half from 3-point range.

But the Blazers rallied in the second half by making 7-for-14 from 3-point range.

Portland then pulled away by making three of six 3-point attempts in overtime.

Such is the fickle nature of long-range shooting. But it’s one Portland coach Terry Stotts is willing to embrace. The Blazers average 26.6 attempts per game, the fourth most in the NBA.

Portland entered Tuesday shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range, third-best in the league. Wesley Matthews leads the NBA in 3-pointers with 101, while Damian Lillard is second with 91.

“It’s important to get shots that are within the context of our offense that are good for that particular player,” Stotts said. “Wes, if he’s open at the 3-point line, I want him to shoot it.”

The Blazers had hit at least 16 shots from 3-point range in three straight games, the first team in NBA history to do so.

Leonard out

Backup center Meyers Leonard missed Tuesday’s game with a left shoulder strain.

Stotts said the injury occurred Monday in practice.

“During practice, somebody hit down on the ball and pulled his shoulder out,” Stotts said.

The Blazers’ lack of front-court depth showed Tuesday as they were outscored 64-32 in the paint.

Tip-ins

o Joel Freeland had 12 rebounds, his third straight game in double figures. Prior to that streak, he had done that once in his NBA career.

o Portland (15-2) now has the most home wins in the NBA. Toronto and Portland had shared the lead.

o Toronto entered Tuesday having committed only 11.6 turnovers per game – the second-fewest in the league. The Raptors had nine turnovers Tuesday, the sixth straight game with fewer than 10 turnovers.