Shorthanded Trail Blazers fall to Celtics in final seconds

The Portland Trail Blazers, fresh off a tough loss in Phoenix, came into today’s game with even fresher news that LaMarcus Aldridge would miss 6-8 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb. Despite consistent energy and hustle from his replacement in the starting lineup, Thomas Robinson, the Trail Blazers’ overall play was sporadic. An early hole and late mistakes once again led to disappointment, as the Celtics pulled up by one in the final seconds. The Trail Blazers have now lost five of their last six.

Recap

The Trail Blazers looked significantly out of sorts without Aldridge on the floor, but made due with what they had. Although they started slowly, they worked back to hold the Celtics even for quite a while– most of the game in fact. However; just as the momentum began to shift in their favor, Nicolas Batum agitated his shooting wrist again, and exited the game without returning.

The team was now even more discombobulated, missing three starters for the first time since April of 2013. Still, they pushed through their own sloppiness to keep the game respectable. Yet the fourth quarter proved too difficult without their usual closers. Going three minutes without a basket, and missing a few more crucial free throws, the Trail Blazers left the door cracked just enough for the Celtics to make something happen; which they did.

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Honestly, it wasn’t even like the Trail Blazers broke down in the final seconds. If anything, they made a fairly smart move that nearly paid off. Wesley Matthews came just far enough off of Evan Turner to swat the ball out of Jared Sullinger‘s hands, Sullinger dove on the floor, and Robinson dove after him. Matthews started down the court for what would have been an easy basket in transition had Sullinger not recovered the ball. This left Turner open in the corner, where he received a seated assist from his desperate teammate for the game winner with one second remaining.

It was absolutely disappointing, but the Trail Blazers need to dust off their pants, roll up their sleeves, and get ready for even more difficult times ahead.

Players

Thomas Robinson played like his career depended on it, which, in a way, it does. He must take full advantage of every opportunity when they come along, and with the Trail Blazers missing Batum(?), Aldridge, Robin Lopez, and Joel Freeland for various lengths of time, he will have plenty of them. He had 12 rebounds (six offensive, all of them earned), nine points, two blocks, two steals, and an assist.

Wesley Matthews broke the Trail Blazers 1-10 first-half three-point shooting in the 3rd quarter with a torrent, and finished 4-8 from deep for 18 points. It’s obvious he has to work for his shots more without Aldridge attracting attention, but it’s also clear that he is a better player today than he has been in seasons past.

Damian Lillard also got going in the third, but has seemed less than his supernatural self of late. Tonight he had 21-6-7 with a steal, but had a chance to dominate on offense that the Celtics’ snuffed out. It will be interesting to see how the Trail Blazers’ offense adjusts over the next few months.

Meyers Leonard had seven and six with a dime, a steal, and a block. He didn’t shoot well, but he looked good and comfortable on the court.

Chris Kaman had 13 points and nine rebounds, keeping the Trail Blazers afloat early. His production tends to wane later in games, but he was the only player for either team at double-digits by half time.

C.J. McCollum had a quiet 10 points and has steadily grown more reliable. Here’s hoping he goes through a growth spurt, because the Trail Blazers need all the help they can get.

The dream season has turned into a nightmare. After weathering the storm that was Robin Lopez’s injury so well, taking out Joel Freeland was a huge blow. Without Aldridge, and now possibly Batum, it’s very hard to see sunny skies on the horizon. But Goonies never say die, and neither do the Trail Blazers, who take on the Washington Wizards at home on Saturday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m. PST.