Blazers Weekly Recap 2/8-2/14
A look back at Portland’s week of play
Things couldn’t have gone better for the Blazers heading into the All-Star break. Not only did they overtake seventh place (Seventh, can you believe it?) but they did it with key victories against two teams that have given them trouble over the past few seasons. Charles Barkley said it himself during All-Star Saturday night, that Portland has a dynamic backcourt that could last them ten years. If this is only the beginning, us dreamers in Rip City have to be excited for the future, starting with the impending trade deadline on February 18th that could bring this unbelievable season to even bigger heights.
Blazers 112 vs. Grizzlies 106 (OT)
Why did we win?
Although we were hoping for some Damian Lillard magic, leave it to the bench heroics of Gerald Henderson and Allen Crabbe for a duel tip-in to send it to overtime. C.J. McCollum finally found his shot when it mattered most and Portland was able to outscore Memphis enough in the hostile defensive environment. Stats wise, Portland earned six more assists than the Grizzlies, who had to try and scramble after Marc Gasol left the game in the first quarter.
Improvements?
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Despite no Gasol, none of the Portland posts were able to grab double digit rebounds. Instead, the Blazers showed heart down low, even getting scrappy with Gasol and Meyers Leonard. Using Leonard as an enforcer could pay dividends for Portland as the season goes on, because the ability to get in an opposing team’s head changes their game almost every time. Even though I’d prefer Portland to dominate the glass, if we can rattle their offense just enough, then a rebounding battle becomes less important.
What did we learn?
The fourth quarter collapses at the beginning of the season have fueled this mid-season improvement. Ever since the Thunder game a few weeks ago, it seems Portland has become a respectable fourth quarter team that can hold onto leads, as well as come back from deficits.
Blazers 116 vs. Rockets 103
Why did we win?
Maurice Harkless had been receiving little attention in the last few weeks, but the fan favorite made the most of his start with an 8-11 shooting night for 19 points and 13 rebounds. On top of that, Lillard garnered a +28 plus/minus, not only silencing the possibility of a rivalry between him a Patrick Beverly, but his utter dominance over him put a smile to every Blazer fan who is sick of Beverly and his play.
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Improvements?
Barkley praised our backcourt over the weekend, but again, a dominant guard like James Harden was able to just have his way with anyone who guarded him. He was one rebound away from a triple double, and he alone was able to keep the Rockets in the game. Even with Dwight Howard dominating down low, our guards need to bulk up or something because letting guards just manhandle us like that will be troubling in the playoffs.
What did we learn?
Portland has the potential to become Spurs-like with the overall team contributions as of late. I mean c’mon, how nice is 33 bench points compared to season’s past? If each player is able to embrace their role on the team, the role of “game-changer” could fall on any player on our roster on any given night. Honestly, this is worrying teams (who never gave us a thought just a few months ago) who might have to face us in the first round.
Next: More From Rip City Project
First game back from break is the Warriors. With both teams well rested and playing their best basketball of the season, it will be a good measuring stick for what improvements we still need to make in order to possibly score an upset in the first round this year. It’s still is astounding me even writing about the playoffs after what happened this past summer.