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Trail Blazers Weekly Recap: 1/18 – 1/24

By Spencer Gordon

Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recapping Portland’s Week of Competition

The Wizards and Lakers are both having some disappointing seasons and Portland took advantage on their way to a 2-1 week.

Despite the lone loss to the Hawks, fans have to be excited as Portland is now 5-2 in the last seven games and playing their best basketball of the season.

Jan 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Blazers 108 vs. Wizards 98

Why did we win?

Allen Crabbe and Meyers Leonard decided to score the ball, combining for 32 points with 6 threes. This was important because our starters built some big leads, but the bench seemed to give the Wizards life. However, any hope they had was erased by the +13 rebounds by the Blazers.

Improvements?

Most Blazer writers have noticed the trend for our bigs to foul, however another player finding himself in foul trouble is Crabbe. There is no denying that Crabbe is one of our best defenders, but he’s been taking too many chances that send him back to the bench. I love Crabbe and what he brings to the table, therefore he can’t be watching in crunch time.

What did we learn?

That the Blazers can rebound from a bad loss. This was an early game, meaning the embarrassing loss to Philadelphia still lingered before they took the court. Portland took everything that didn’t work in Philly and turned it into a winning formula. It’s just another step in the right direction as Portland continues to grow.

Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) has his shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) has his shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Hawks 104 vs. Blazers 98

Why did we lose?

I don’t know if it’s coincidence, but the moment Portland plays a better team, their three point percentage drops. When a good defense can run Portland off the three, it means mid-game adjustments, which the Blazers have a hard time adapting to.

Improvements?

We couldn’t lock them down in crunch time, letting Kent Bazemore and Paul Millsap slowly put the game out of reach. This becomes especially difficult when the three isn’t falling, as that has been our scapegoat all season (See the classic ruling in Damian Lillard v. Thunder). I would’ve liked to see more ball movement rather than 1 on 1 offense in crunch time. That strategy works every once in awhile, but against Mike Budenholzer (a Gregg Popovich disciple) that rarely works out.

What did we learn?

C.J. McCollum won’t let slumps deter him. Despite some quiet games last week, he averaged 27 points a game this week including 28 against the Hawks. He did shoot 23 times (Must have been talking with Kobe more) but I admit every time he shoots, it looks like it’s going in.

Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) fights for a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) and center Roy Hibbert (17) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) fights for a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) and center Roy Hibbert (17) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Blazers 121 vs. Lakers 103

Why did we win?

You could give credit to the guards and their scoring explosion, however this victory is because the Lakers are awful. The fourth quarter was embarrassing for both teams, we’re just lucky we held a big enough lead that we could play down to that level.

Improvements?

Playing in a hostile environment is always tough, but when you’re playing at home with your own fans chanting for the other team, it can be daunting. The fourth quarter environment inside Moda Center is something I’ve never seen before, and thankfully it won’t happen again. Whether it was Laker fans or nostalgic Blazer fans, a Kobe chant in Portland must have made it impossible to focus, which led to the sloppiest fourth quarter pr recent memory. If the Blazers make the playoffs, they need to be ready for an even worse environment, as they’d head to Oracle Arena and the most intimidating home court advantage in the league  

What did we learn?

Short and sweet: You could clear your bench and play like crap, but in today’s world you can still beat the Lakers by 20.