PORTLAND — Some say it’s not how you start, it’s how finish.
Nicolas Batum says it’s more about if you finish.
The Blazers forward was bounced from the starting lineup five games ago after a brief slump, but asserted it was far more important to be on the court by game’s end than it was the beginning. Tuesday, he got his wish — and added a game-sealing 3-pointer for good measure.
Batum’s triple with 1:38 remaining put Portland up by seven points against the Suns, and a series of subsequent free throws by the Blazers iced their 106-99 win. It was Portland’s first victory over a team with a winning record since downing the Nuggets Nov. 18.
“When I hit that shot I was like (loud exhale), I really needed that,” said Batum, who actually did start Tuesday in place of suspended point guard Andre Miller, and scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. “I struggled for three quarters, didn’t play good defense on (Steve) Nash, and in the third quarter I wasn’t trusting myself. Two or three times I’d pass on shots. It was like I was a rookie. But when I got that one I was like ‘take it.’ I felt like that almost sealed the game.”
Batum may have ran the anchor leg for the Blazers Tuesday, but there were plenty of other dynamic baton holders.
Wesley Matthews continued to cement his worth by scoring 24 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points, hit all 10 of his foul shots and corralled six rebounds. Brandon Roy pitched in 20 points of his own and handed out five assists.
But Portland fans weren’t talking about those guys after the game. Tuesday night, they were just extras on Patty Mills’ set.
Yes, Batum may have started in place of Miller, who was forced to sit out following an intentional collision with the Clippers’ Blake Griffin Sunday, but Mills was the greatest beneficiary.
The Australian point guard logged a career-high 29 minutes, dished a career-high seven assists — six of which came in an 11-minute span in the first half — and contributed nine points.
He also added a whole new dimension to the Blazers’ offense, bringing inimitable speed while incorporating the pick and roll into the team’s half-court set.
“Patty was the player of the game,” Matthews said bluntly. “Patty came in and he was hyped and he got us going and was just making plays. Play after play, shot after shot, and he plays defense.”
Not expected to make the roster during training camp, Mills’ resume has been growing steadily.
The 22-year-old scored seven points vs. the Wizards last week, logged eight against the Clippers Sunday on 3 of 3 shooting, and had by far his most productive game of the year Tuesday.
The Rose Garden crowd showed their appreciation the first time he was subbed out, letting out a booming cheer. One of those fans was Mills’ father, Benny, and the apple gave the tree a performance well worth the flight from down under.
“Obviously (Miller) not being out there, you got big shoes to fill,” said Mills, who heard chants of “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” from Aldrdige after the game. “I feel comfortable out there, and that comes from my teammates. They all say that they believe in me, and that I can handle the ball, and that helps my confidence.”
Masked by Mills’ exploits was the fact that Portland (10-11) almost gave the game away. Again.
Over their previous six contests, the Blazers had been outscored by a combined 63 points in the second half. And despite trailing by 12 at one point in the first half Tuesday, the Suns (11-10) chipped away and led by as many as four in the fourth quarter.
Then Portland went to work — scoring 37 points in the final period (its season high for any quarter) while ending up 32 of 33 from the foul line.
Nash led Phoenix with 24 points and 15 assists, but Portland managed to hold the run-and-gun Suns to two fast-break points (although Blazers coach Nate McMillan thought that was a stat-sheet typo).
The Blazers also committed just 11 turnovers to Phoenix’s 17.
“It was fun,” McMillan said. “We just felt like we needed a win. There was no question about that.”
Matt Calkins can be contacted at 360-735-4528 or matt.calkins@columbian.com
