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Portland Bounces Back With Blowout Victory Over Knicks

Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) looks to pass on Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Meyers Leonard (11)during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) looks to pass on Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Meyers Leonard (11)during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) looks to pass on Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Meyers Leonard (11)during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; New York Knicks guard Chasson Randle (4) looks to pass on Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and forward Meyers Leonard (11)during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

After a Disappointing Loss to Milwaukee, the Blazers Rebound Nicely with an Easy Win over New York 110-95

The Knicks just weren’t prepared for a hungry team like the Blazers. Just two days after failing to take possession of the eighth spot in the playoffs, Portland made sure to stay just one game out of contention.

Led by another brilliant game from Damian Lillard (30 pts), the Blazers took the lead at the beginning of the game and never gave it up. While New York didn’t lead for a single second of the game.

Lillard’s supporting cast did well also. Jusuf Nurkic continued his string of great play, with a 16 and 10 night. While C.J. McCollum dropped another quiet 20 points as he continues his quiet but solid streak of 20+ scoring games.

Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) and guard Damian Lillard (0) have some words with referee Dan Crawford (43) during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) and guard Damian Lillard (0) have some words with referee Dan Crawford (43) during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Portland got off to a hot start early, ending the first quarter with 37 points. Granted, the Knicks have raised the white flag on the season. They didn’t seem too enthusiastic to be playing across the country. Stars Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose continue to battle injuries and didn’t play tonight. The Blazers practically played however they wanted.

The big story though still remains the race for the eighth spot. Denver, currently clinging to a one game lead over Portland, secured a surprising victory over the defending champs. It was a game RCP and the rest of Rip City needed though, as the national media looked to pencil in Portland to overtake the Nuggets. The Denver victory solidifies the notion that you can’t truly predict today’s NBA, and with Portland closing the season with some tough games against Houston, Utah and San Antonio, we need to take advantage of every opportunity we get.

The Blazers play Minnesota on Saturday for the first of three meetings in 13 days. Although Minnesota isn’t a playoff team, playing a team multiple times allows the opposition to make adjustments.

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