NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor and Insider Chris Anderson talks about Portland’s easy victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Not at all resembling the team that lost to a mediocre Sacramento team just a few days ago, Portland jumped out to a lead and kept asserting their dominance, proving they are at least above a certain tier of teams in the NBA. One of the players that has been essential to Portland’s uprising this season is LaMarcus Aldrige.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Hornets matchup. Hampered by a hip injury, Wesley Matthews has tried his best to get back in the game. He had yet to play since December 8th before starting Sunday. He also says the thing about this game—that seems to be getting buried—is how good Nicolas Batum was.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down Portland’s quarterly report. With a fourth of the NBA behind us, Portland’s performance is right about where it should be. The starters continue to push this team forward, while the bench continues to drag it back. After a torrid start to the NBA season Nicolas Batum’s production has taken a turn. There cannot be any doubt about Damian Lillard for rookie of the year.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Raptors matchup. The Headline: playing without starters Nicolas Batum (back) and Wesley Matthews (hip), Portland comes up with a big win and halts their losing streak at two games. Aldridge and Hickson put together huge nights, and luckily it’s enough to outweigh disappointing games from Claver and Lillard.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down five questions Portland is facing on the young season. With 19 games in the bag—to the tune of a 8-11 record—there’s plenty for Portland to answer for. Can rookie sensation Damian Lillard keep it going? Will Nicolas Batum ever be good enough for his contract? Nicolas Batum looked ready for a breakout All-Star season. J.J. Hickson is enjoying a great season as Portland’s starting center.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Cavs matchup. Portland finally nabs a game on their East Coast swing, aided by a big game from the starters—all scoring in double digits. But Wesley Matthews slump continues, and the Blazers struggle to box out the Cavs.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Celtics matchup. The Headline: LaMarcus Aldridge comes alive, but a dominating Celtics defense holds Portland to 34 percent shooting in this ugly loss. L.A. and the bench show some great signs of life, but there’s never anything positive about 34 percent shooting.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin gives some insight on rookie sensation Damian Lillard’s quirky phobia of statues. But not just any statues, but statues of historical figures. With the Blazers paying visit to the Washington Wizards, it must have been a trying day for Lillard.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Wizards matchup. The Headline: squaring off with the winless Wizards, Portland continues its East Coast losing streak with this new 82-84 loss. Batum looked like he’s coming out of his slump, and Hickson had a season high 19 rebounds. But with four games left on the roadtrip, Portland needs to find some wins.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin takes a look into Nicolas Batum’s stellar beginning to the 2012/13 season. Despite an offseason spent trying to get away from Portland, Batum looks to have turned a corner in his career. With highs in all stat categories, Batum is becoming a major cog for the Blazers.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Blazers vs Pistons matchup. The Headline: despite a nagging back injury, LaMarcus Aldridge comes alive for Portland; unfortunately, it’s not enough to hold off the Pistons in this 101-108 loss. Also, the rookies show promise while the stars fade. The Blazers rolled with four bench players in this one, rookies Will Barton and Meyers Leonard were prominent.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the Timberwolves vs Blazers matchup. The Headline: Damian Lillard scores a season high 28 points in this big Portland win. Damian Lillard has a career night, and J.J. Hickson looks strong in his return. With the growing rivalry, Kevin Love hands down won the battle with L.A..
