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Blazers week in review 02-23

By Erik Gundersen, Columbian Trail Blazers Writer
Published: February 23, 2015, 12:00am

Blazer Beef

The entire team’s performance on Friday against the was Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City was a forgettable one.

Their defense has carried them all season, but they managed a measly 76 points on Friday.

Friday’s 19-point loss was Portland’s largest margin of defeat so far this season.

Utah is an up and coming team, and the Jazz look like they will be formidable for the Blazers in the division for years to come.

But they are still a young, developing team and the Blazers have no business getting blown out by anyone — let alone a team that doesn’t have plans of making the playoffs this season.

Blazer Bravo

Neil Olshey was the biggest winner this week in Blazers land.

On Thursday, the Blazers consummated a deal to land veteran wing Arron Afflalo from Denver in addition to the athletic Alonzo Gee.

In exchange, the Blazers gave up three players — Will Barton, Thomas Robinson and Victor Claver — who all were not in Portland’s rotation.

Portland also gave up a future first-round pick.

Ahead of an offseason when the Blazers will likely be committing major dollars to free agents such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews and even Afflalo, the Blazers will still have the flexibility to add a young talent in the upcoming draft.

As the pick is lottery protected, it will not be a very good pick that they are giving up anyway.

By the Numbers

5 — Arron Afflalo started every game he has played over the last five seasons before coming to the Blazers.

16 — Number of Portland’s remaining 27 games that come against teams above .500.

93.9 — How many points per 100 possession the Blazers allow when Joel Freeland is on the court. He said his return should be soon.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday vs. San Antonio (7:30 p.m., KGW, ESPN): The Blazers have their fourth and final matchup against the defending champions as they look to win the season series.

Friday vs. Oklahoma City (7:30 p.m., CSN, ESPN): Kevin Durant will not play as his season hangs in the balance but the Thunder have three newcomers including Medford’s Kyle Singler.

Sunday at Sacramento (3 p.m., CSN): Terry Stotts faces off against his former boss George Karl, who was named Sacramento’s head coach last week.

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Columbian Trail Blazers Writer