Promising New Start
As predicted over the last few weeks, the Portland TrailBlazers shook things up quite a bit over the trade deadline. It turns out the main move was to fire six-year coach Nate McMillan.
Kaleb Canales, just 34 years of age, took over for McMillan on an interim basis.
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Portland 100, Chicago 89
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, March 16, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Officials: #42 Eric Lewis, #13 Monty McCutchen, #66 Haywoode Workman
Attendance: 22022
In addition, Gerald Wallace was traded to the Nets.
For one night at least, the shakeup seemed to inspire the previously hapless Blazers.
Portland stunned the basketball world last night by beating the Chicago Bulls 100-89.
Love ’Em
1. Great Shooting
After several nights of miserable shooting from the floor, the Blazers were on fire last night. The team made 11 out of 21 three-point attempts. Wesley Matthews connected on 4 out of 5 threes, while Nicolas Batum knocked down 3 out of 4 attempts from long range.
2. Nicolas Batum
Nicolas Batum filled up the stat sheet last night. He poured in 15 points while grabbing nine boards. He also had two steals and just one turnover. He will play an even bigger role now that Wallace is gone.
3. Raymond Felton
Ray Felton has had a terrible season, but he looked the point guard the Blazers thought they were getting for the year last night. He had 16 points in the game, but more importantly he finished with five assists compared to just one turnover.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Kaleb Canales - (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)
4. Defense
Opposing teams have been lighting up the Blazers every single night of late, but this team put the clamps down last night. Chicago shot just 42% from the floor, and only 29% from three-point range.
Hate ‘Em
1. Rebounding
The Bulls are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, but still it hurts to get outrebounded 45-35. The Bulls grabbed 18 offensive rebounds compared to just 9 for the Blazers.
2. Jamal Crawford
While most of the team responded in a big way last night, Jamal Crawford continued to struggle. His name came up in many trade rumors, but he is still with the team. Crawford went 3 for 12 from the floor for only 8 points in this one.
Is the new start for real or is this just a one-game bounce for the Blazers.
That question can’t be answered yet, but it was definitely nice to see this kind of effort last night.
| Portland | Chicago | ||
| Fast Break Points | 6 | Fast Break Points | 5 |
| Points in the Paint | 30 | Points in the Paint | 32 |
| Biggest Lead | 11 | Biggest Lead | 8 |
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