Game 53 Recap: Blazers 63, Hornets 99
By Mike Acker
Feb 13, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets power forward Anthony Davis (23) guard Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) during the second quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Trail Blazers left early for the All-Star Break. In their place, Wednesday night, was a team of guys who looked exactly like the Blazers we’ve come to know and love over 53 games minus any and all basketball talent.
LaMarcus Aldridge called this six-game swing a make or break trip. His team finishes said trip with one win while losing the last five. They nearly set every record for futility in history against the worst team they’ve played in two weeks. And they’re no longer “in the conversation.”
We’ve got some time off now. Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge get to showcase the best of what Portland has to offer during All-Star Weekend (you know to remind the world that all is not even close to lost in the Pacific Northwest), and when we reconvene in about a week, we can talk about how best to proceed to maximize what’s left of the season.
I’ll go on record as saying I’m an advocate of Portland continuing to try to win games. If their play in Miami shows anything, it’s that getting up for the big games isn’t something this team has to work on. There are big games left to play in 2012-13. There are plenty of chances to try to excite the fan base for the next season or two. Figuring out how to manufacture wins will be an important next step. But that’s something for another day.
Since I don’t have the energy to talk about Wednesday’s monstrosity, here’s a collection of Tweets that basically sum ups how things are going at this moment in Blazer-land:
Thanks to Portland's 5 game losing streak Lakers now tied w/ Blazers for the 9th spot. #LetsGoLakers
— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) February 14, 2013
This is your daily reminder that the Blazers have a better record than the... oh shoot... tied with the Lakers now :(
— Pinwheel Empire (@PinwheelEmpire) February 14, 2013
Meyers Leonard dunk with 2:04 assures Blazers won't set franchise record for fewest points. Portland trails New Orleans 96-59
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) February 14, 2013
Gonna go stand outside of Powell's with a clipboard and ask people to donate some money to the Blazers.
— ian karmel (@IanKarmel) February 14, 2013
Nets scored 39 points in 2nd quarter tonight vs Nuggets. Blazers have 38 points in the game with 4:41 left in the 3rd quarter
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 14, 2013
Blazers embarrassing the rest of the Big 10 right now.
— ian karmel (@IanKarmel) February 14, 2013
46-point first quarter for the Clippers. The Blazers scored 63 points in four quarters today.
— Stephen Coston (@S_Coston_) February 14, 2013
Enjoy the All-Star Break everybody. All I ask is that you remember two things, this season isn’t about wins and loses (not really), and one game, be it either positive or negative, doesn’t literally make or break a season.
Box Score (if you can stand it)
@mikeacker | @ripcityproject | mike.acker1@gmail.com
Feb 13, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts against the New Orleans Hornets during the second quarter of a game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports