Trail Blazers: Clippers prove too deep as Blazers go cold

The Portland Trail Blazers failed to show up Tuesday night, as they were handily beaten 117-97 by the LA Clippers.

The Trail Blazers hung in there for a half or so, but were ultimately second best against the Clippers.

Portland shot just 25.9 percent from deep, and their offense seemed to run out of ideas for most of the contest.

The third quarter proved to be the difference, as the Blazers scored just 17 points, and failed to match the Clippers intensity. This intensity in particular was led by Montrezl Harrell, who torched Portland’s wide-open lane for 26 points and 9 rebounds.

CJ McCollum had 20, and Hassan Whiteside 18, but the starters were hooked with 7 minutes to play, as Stotts recognized the game was already decided.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

Depth

The Clippers are an incredibly deep team, and a tough comparison, but they’ve set a standard which the Blazers must strive to meet if they want to challenge for a championship.

The Blazers bench were outscored 66-30, and out of the 30 points they did score, aside from Anfernee Simons it was garbage-time scoring. The addition of Carmelo Anthony has certainly helped in a lot of departments, but the Blazers mustn’t settle.

The second unit is still getting significantly out-played, and doesn’t seem fit to challenge the top teams in the West. The main concern right now is defensive wings, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and even Aaron Gordon have all been mentioned as suitable trade candidates.

Blazer fans must also remember that when Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic return, at least one of Rodney Hood or Melo will be coming off the bench, a fact that would seriously strengthen Portland. Outside of a wing, I’d love to see Portland snag another ball handler off the market, to run the second unit. Without Dame on the floor, the offense looks lost, and a veteran point guard could seriously help the bench.

The Clippers are the standard, and there is no shame at getting beat by their roster depth, but the Blazers must learn from the roster they just lost to, and strive for that amount of options.

Blazers look tougher

One thing’s for sure, we’re not watching the same team that started the season.

The losses to the Warriors and the Kings were extremely concerning, simply because the Blazers looked so lifeless. There was no fight, no intensity, no toughness. Tonight, despite the beat down, they looked different.

More so the first half, as their ice-cold shooting didn’t allow for much to get excited about, but the Blazers hung in there. The roster looks together, and they seem to have a clear want to win together now. Despite what Lillard and Stotts said earlier in the year, they didn’t look like a team that was all there.

Melo was poor tonight, but he seems to have bought in to the Blazers culture. Whiteside too, has turned a corner, his 10 block game epitomizes this change in mentality.

The Blazers that went to the WCF were an extremely close bunch, and they made it obvious that they were prepared to sacrifice for one another. Following a rocky start, I’m now starting to get a similar vibe from this group.

Bazemore looks expendable

There’s been plenty of trade talk in Portland, and this talk will almost always include Kent Bazemore.

Due to his expiring contract, Bazemore is seen by many as a trade asset for the Blazers. Initially, his defensive effort and ability to shoot the three suggested he could play a role this year, but as each game goes by, Bazemore looks more and more likely to be on the trade block.

I’d be surprised if one of him and Whiteside don’t get traded at some point in the season, and Whiteside is currently winning the battle to remain. The center has been proving his worth (and me wrong!) over the past week or so, whilst Bazemore has struggled to fit in.

Aside from a few highlights on defense, he hasn’t found a place in the offense, and his dribble drives often look rushed and panicky.

Perhaps he’ll turn it around, but the clock is ticking for Bazemore, if his performances continue, he could find himself part of a deal sooner rather than later.

The Blazers now go back-to-back, as they return home Wednesday evening to battle the Sacramento Kings once more.