Portland Trail Blazers surge past Sacramento Kings late, 98-94
94. 84. 98. 34. Final
The Portland Trail Blazers, desperately needing a win, fell behind double-digits and lost LaMarcus Aldridge to a hand injury from which he didn’t return, but found enough in the tank to gut out the 98-94 victory against the Sacramento Kings. Aldridge’s X-Rays came back negative, but we are waiting on the results of an MRI.
Recap
The Trail Blazers jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but it evaporated more quickly than summer rain, and they found themselves down double-digits. The Trail Blazers were not playing terribly, the Kings were just playing really well. Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins were having a field day. Aldridge was doing his Aldridge thing and had 10 points and two steals in the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers were down 31-23 to end the period.
Portland started the second quarter with verve, and the narrative once again wove around Aldridge. As he swiped down on a Cousins shot, he hit his hand on Cousins’ knee. Flexing in pain, he went to the locker room, and did not return. This marks yet another hand/wrist injury for the Blazers this year, from Thomas Robinson to C.J. McCollum to Damian Lillard to Nicolas Batum to Robin Lopez.
The Trail Blazers cut the deficit and got a lead of their own, but went back down 56-51 at the half. Meyers Leonard was having another solid showing with nine points on 4-5 shooting.
Little-used Victor Claver started second half in Aldridge’s stead, and had some nice hustle plays, including one that saved a possession and got the Trail Blazers a bucket. Unfortunately, the offense and defense is much worse when you’re missing three 7-foot or near-7-foot guys, one of them your best player and one of them your starting center; especially against a team with Cousins. As the Trail Blazers struggled, the Kings gained confidence, and took a 75-67 lead into the fourth. It would have been worse had Dorell Wright not nailed a three to end the period.
Knowing a fourth consecutive loss would be unacceptable with or without their best player, the Trail Blazers got to work in the fourth. Robinson played a very physical game with Cousins on both ends of the floor, occupying the Kings’ star, who eventually fouled out. A rare (of late) Batum three with five minutes to go in the fourth to pull the Trail Blazers ahead 84-83.
They continued harassing the Kings, who coughed up six turnovers in the last four minutes of the game, and were able to take advantage. Some missed Trail Blazers free throws added drama down the stretch, but they made enough to walk away with the 98-94 win.
Players
LaMarcus Aldridge was having a great game before hurting his hand. As of press time, X-Rays were NEGATIVE (this is good), but there is no update or indication of how long he will be out, if at all.
Wesley Matthews (2-12 from deep!) struggled, but played the good version of “tough Wes” defense, contributing 17 points, three boards, and three steals. Especially on a night where the Trail Blazers are down weapons, it is good to know that missing will not affect his willingness to take the next shot.
Damian Lillard struggled early… then only struggled slightly less later. His shooting was bad (6-19, 2-9 from deep), but his 22 points, six boards, five assists, and three steals were all needed to guide home the win. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to playing without Aldridge in the coming games, if it turns out that Aldridge is unable to play.
Nicolas Batum played a more aggressive game than we’ve seen from him in a while. The stats didn’t completely bear it out (2-8, 1-4 from three for eight points, four boards, four assists), but he looked better. He also hit the go-ahead three late in the game. Hopefully this is the beginning of his welcome back tour.
The Trail Blazers’ bench outscored the Kings’ 37-18, while tallying 17 boards, nine assists, and eight steals. Let’s give them each a bit of shine.
Thomas Robinson was the super sub. He was like the Beatles: Here, there, and everywhere, working for rebounds (6), chipping in some points (5), playing solid defense (3 steals), and just hustling no matter what was happening. This was T-Rob at his best, and the Trail Blazers should reward his effort with some run even if Aldridge returns next game.
Meyers Leonard had another fine game with nine points, three rebounds, an assist, and a block. He really looks like he’s taking a step in his development, and that his other nice games were no flukes.
Notes
- The Trail Blazers were outrebounded 53-35. Woof.
- …but they had 16 steals to the Kings’ eight, and just 13 turnovers to the Kings’ 21.
The Trail Blazers get a day off before going on the road to face the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, January 21st at 6:00 p.m. PST.