PORTLAND — The Portland Trail Blazers are struggling late in games. They’re currently posting a league-worst point-differential of minus 15.5 per 100 possessions in the fourth quarter according to NBA.com.
Head coach Terry Stotts says that when it comes to his coaching, little has been different.
“I try to make the best decisions at that time,” Stotts said of his late-game coaching. “I don’t necessarily belabor the point about the previous game or anything like that. It’s about doing the things we need to do at that time to come out ahead. We’ve been a very good fourth quarter team in the three previous years, I can’t say I coached any differently then. I think part of it is a little, the law of averages coming into play as well.”
Lillard Time is a zone the Blazers haven’t been familiar with lately. Lillard has shot 25 percent from the field in the fourth quarter so far this season according to NBA.com. But his lack of success from the field hasn’t been the only reason he’s been quiet late in games.
Teams have been forcing the ball out of Lillard’s hands, forcing other Blazers to beat them.
On Wednesday, the strategy worked for the Houston Rockets. But Stotts isn’t displeased with the shots the Blazers are getting when teams force the ball from Lillard’s hands.
“I thought we got some really good shots, but unfortunately we didn’t make them” Stotts said of the Blazers reaction to the choice to take Lillard out of plays. “I think Damian, that’s part of the responsibility of being a very good player. If you create a problem that puts two people on you, your job is to get it out and the teammates have to do their job.”
Meyers Leonard Still Out
Stotts wouldn’t give much in the way of an update for starting power forward Meyers Leonard.
Leonard dislocated his shoulder in a loss on Nov. 12 against the San Antonio Spurs and has missed every game since.
“He’s still out, I’m not a doctor,” Stotts said when asked about an update on his progress.
Redick back, Pierce out for Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers will get back a key cog in their starting line-up Friday night when JJ Redick returns to the line-up, according to head coach Doc Rivers.
However, the Clippers will not have a full compliment at their disposal.
Veteran forward Paul Pierce will miss Friday’s game after playing against the Golden State Warriors the previous night.
“Can you put age down as an injury? Cause we’re thinking about it,” Rivers said when asked why Pierce wouldn’t play.
Redick has missed the last three games with back spasms.
