Blazer Beef
The Blazers were 0-3 this week. They lost a pair of close ones and led the league’s hottest team after three quarters, but the Blazers couldn’t finish.
They looked dead in the water against Milwaukee.
Damian Lillard’s struggles from the field have continued, as he’s shooting 33 percent from the field and 24 percent from long range over the last 10 games. He also had a combined 12 turnovers in the two losses on Friday and Saturday.
Coupled with Nicolas Batum’s season-long struggles shooting the ball, it’s a recipe for a low scoring offense.
Portland didn’t score 100 points in any game they played this week.
The Blazers need Robin Lopez as soon as possible.
Blazer Bravo
LaMarcus Aldridge continues to work wonders with the basketball. Teams are keying in more on taking away Damian Lillard, and Aldridge was great over the past week.
He had 38 points and 11 rebounds against the Cavs on Wednesday and followed that performance up with 37 points and 11 rebounds Friday against Atlanta.
You couldn’t have asked for a better first three games in his return from injury. The Bucks double teamed him like crazy on Saturday but he had been stellar all week.
If there was one player who really couldn’t have played better this week it was Aldridge.
By The Numbers
8 — The Blazers have lost eight of their last 10 games.
19 — The Blazers offense has been 19th in offensive efficiency over the past 10 games.
30 — The Blazers are dead last among the NBA’s 30 teams in total rebound rate over the past 10 games.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday vs. Utah Jazz (7 p.m., CSNNW, NBATV): The Jazz won’t make the playoffs but they are young and are coming off an exciting win over the West-leading Golden State Warriors on Friday.
Thursday vs. Phoenix Suns (7:30 p.m., TNT): The Blazers came back from 25 down to have a chance in the final seconds but they were unable to execute in the last minute of the game.
Saturday at Dallas Mavericks (5:30 p.m., CSNNW): The Blazers beat down the Mavericks by 21 when they met back in November. The Mavs have since traded for Rajon Rondo but they still have issues with defense and the bench.
Sunday at Houston (4 p.m., CSNNW): The Rockets handed the Blazers their largest margin of defeat this season, 110-95, in Houston back on Dec. 22 behind James Harden’s 44 points.
