Trail Blazers host Suns, focused on basketball – not seeding
By Ryan Allison
The Portland Trail Blazers host the Phoenix Suns tonight at 7:00 p.m. PST. These two teams just met in Phoenix three days ago when the Trail Blazers won 87-81. The Trail Blazers have won two of the three games against the Suns this season and the last time they played at the Moda Center, the Trail Blazers beat them down the 108-87. A win for the Trail Blazers clinches a playoff berth while a win for the Suns keeps them alive in the race for the last playoff spot. The game can be seen on NBATV and CSNNW while Rip City Radio 620 AM will have the radio call.
Feb 11, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) smiles during a free throw against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams have something to play for tonight and they should provide a very entertaining game. The Trail Blazers are focused on playing good basketball and not worrying about their playoff seeding: “You can’t say (clinching) isn’t important, because it is, but I think we have to have more discipline of trying to go into every game and just take care of business,” Aldridge told Trail Blazers beat writer Casey Holdahl. “And if we win all the games going forward, it just happens. But I don’t think you want to go into the game thinking clinch. That can put too much pressure on the game. I think if we go out and focus on playing the game, everything will work out for us.”
That’s the perfect attitude to have at this point in the season. Every team wants to be playing their best basketball in late March/early April. With the Trail Blazers finally healthy, they need to work on restoring chemistry. Currently on a three game winning streak, which has come on the heels of a five game losing streak, the Trail Blazers appear to be on the right path for another positive postseason opportunity.
The Suns continue to fight with the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder for the final playoff spot. Last night’s loss to the Thunder (109-97) was a huge blow to the Suns playoff chances. They blew a 20-point lead and have to feel like it’s almost time to start waving the white flag. They are now four games back on the Thunder for eighth place in the Western Conference and even have the Pelicans sitting ahead of them by one and a half games. If all of that wasn’t enough to contend with, tonight’s game in Portland will be their second game of a back-to-back set.
Since this is the second time the Trail Blazers have faced the Suns in three days, their isn’t much mystery to this matchup. Knight played 22 minutes last night and struggled in his first game back after sitting out the previous eight games with an ankle injury, scoring only three points on 1-10 shooting. He will likely be sidelined again tonight since it is the second half of a back-to-back.
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In Friday’s game in Phoenix, Aldridge and Lopez were the only bright spots. Aldridge finished the game with 27 points and nine rebounds and scored 10 straight points late in the fourth quarter to give the Trail Blazers a comfortable lead. Lopez finished with a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) for the first time in nine games. He has earned a double-double in both games he has played against the Suns. The Suns interior defense has struggled all year and the Trail Blazers must take advantage once again.
One thing that would be nice to see tonight: Lillard catching fire. He has struggled against the Suns and I am not sure why. The Suns backcourt is great at defending opposing guards, but, in three games against the Suns, Lillard is only averaging 15.3 points and has shot extremely poorly from the field with games of 27.3 percent, 40.0 percent, and 26.7 percent. Hopefully some help from the home crowd will snap Lillard out of his problems.
With a playoff berth on the line, I fully expect the Trail Blazers to come out and win tonight. It may not be in convincing style but as long as they play focused, good basketball they can secure a win.