PORTLAND — The Portland Trail Blazers are in uncharted territory now without starting center Robin Lopez and big man Joel Freeland, who started eight games in Lopez’s absence.
Head coach Terry Stotts, as usual, did not tip his starting lineup before Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Chris Kaman, the former Laker, got the start.
Kaman played last season with the Lakers and Monday was his first start of the season. He was averaging 10 points and six rebounds per game prior to Monday.
Kaman got off to a very productive start Monday, scoring eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the first half.
Stotts honored by NBA
Stotts was named the Western Conference’s Coach of the Month for the month of December.
“I know it’s cliché, but it’s a team award,” Stotts said. “Especially when you get an honor basically rewarding wins and that’s a team thing.”
Over the month of December, Stotts helped guide the Blazers to a 13-3 record, which included its share of rough patches. They went 7-1 after Lopez was lost to a broken hand and notched key victories at San Antonio, at Oklahoma City and at New Orleans.
“We look back at the month and we had a lot of good wins,” Stotts said. “It was a very good month. (It’s) something to be proud of and now we have to move on.”
Stotts said he has a date planned with his wife but assured media that it was planned in advance of him winning the award.
Scary moment for Matthews
Blazers guard Wesley Matthews made the Moda Center hold its breath four minutes into Monday’s game against the Lakers when he crumpled to the ground after a drive.
Matthews was grabbing at his left knee and writhing in pain. He had to be carried off the court by teammates and didn’t put any pressure on his left leg.
Only a few minutes later did Matthews walk out to the bench before returning to the game.
According to the team, there was no injury. The crowd loudly welcomed Matthews back to the court as losing him would have been a devastating blow.
