Wesley Matthews scored a season-high 31 points, five points shy of his career-high.
Needing a win, the Portland Trail Blazers faced a slipping San Antonio Spurs team that was nonetheless at full strength. After building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and losing most of it in the second, the Trail Blazers cleared the cobwebs and bad memories of blown leads to play a solid second half, skating away for the 111-95 win.
Recap
The first thought one had at this game’s opening was, “Boy, Nicolas Batum looks better.” Maybe not 100% better, but a few ticks above what he’d been doing during this slump of a season. As a team, the Trail Blazers scooted ahead to slight lead, and for as bad as San Antonio’s Tony Parker looked, Tim Duncan looked fantastic. He didn’t miss a shot until the second half. The Trail Blazers’ ball movement was just phenomenal, and with a 17-4 run to close the quarter, they built a comfy 32-16 margin after one.
The Trail Blazers slipped a bit to open the second. A Spurs run cut the lead to 46-39… and in another blink of the eye, it was tied at 48 apiece. The crowd didn’t even have time to complain before that 22-6 run by the Spurs pulled them into halftime with the Trail Blazers up just 51-50.
During intermission, Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich mentioned that it was the first time the Spurs looked like themselves since January.
The Trail Blazers probably didn’t hear that remark, but they came out in the third acting as though they did, getting angry and buzzing around the rim as both Damian Lillard and Matthews were rewarded with and-ones for their trouble in just a few minutes. Lillard continued to take a beating, but he was not getting many calls. It was no matter, as the tone had been set and the Trail Blazers kept their collective feet on the gas, storming into the fourth with a 81-71 cushion.
Feb 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) shoots a three-point shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Jeff Ayres (11) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
The fourth quarter felt, for a moment, like a horrible dream come to life: the Spurs’ Danny Green had been killing the Trail Blazers all night, and he hit a three. Then Patrick Mills got in on the act. In short order, the double-digit lead was just four, and the Trail Blazers must have felt a pit growing in their stomach. Fortunately, the honorable Matthews hit a very timely three of his own, and Arron Afflalo got the kind bounce to push it back to 86-77. Then Matthews hit another three (en route to four in the quarter). Along with some other hustle plays and the re-emergence of Chris Kaman, the Trail Blazers had a 15-2 run. It was more than enough to secure the win, and a relieved Portland squad walked away with the 111-95 victory.
Players
Wesley Matthews had a season-high 31 points, and all four of his three-point makes came in the fourth quarter. He also had five boards, three dimes, and three steals in his best performance of the year. It’s not that Matthews doesn’t always play hard: he does. It’s just that sometimes he has a little extra pop, and that combined with the 50/50 plays going his way can produce games like these.
Nicolas Batum, as noted earlier, looked good. He shot 6-8 from the floor, 3-5 from deep, with nine assists, four boards, two steals, a block… and, yes, five turnovers. This was a Batum game. Most important: he looked aggressive and totally at ease on offense. There was no hesitation, just a natural ease that vintage Batum can make look like water flowing. A sight for sore eyes, to be sure.
Damian Lillard has not been the force he was earlier in the season. Having said that, 18-7-6 with a steal is nothing to shake a stick at. At least his three-point stroke is coming back (he was 3-4 form deep tonight), and he’s not forcing shots as much.
LaMarcus Aldridge had a tough game: 5-19 shooting and just 11 points, but he did have 13 boards. His presence is worth ever so much more than the box score can reflect.
Arron Afflalo hit double digits for the first time in a Trail Blazers uniform, shooting 50% from the floor and from deep for 10 points. He probably could have scored more if he had forced it, but with him playing off the bench, we are seeing something we’re not used to seeing from the Blazers reserves: a player that can truly bend the defense. He has only played two games in Portland, but I’m already 99% certain that Trail Blazers fans will fall in love with him.
Chris Kaman had his best game in a while, going for 11 and six. He is probably grateful that one Robin Lopez is back and healthy. Kaman off the bench is a few dozen ticks above Kaman starting. He was instrumental in keeping the late-game lead.
Notes
- The Trail Blazers have improved to 15-0 at home this season when leading at halftime.
- With the win, Portland has won the season series against the Spurs, which may have playoff implications.
- The Trail Blazers bench scored 30 points, and it didn’t look that difficult.
- Alonzo Gee got his first minutes as a Trail Blazer once the game was decided.
The Trail Blazers play the Oklahoma City Thunder this Friday at 7:30 p.m. PST. The Thunder have won seven games in a row and are the only competition in the Northwest Division. This would be a great win if the Trail Blazers can get it.