This is Embarrassing
The long road trip that the Portland TrailBlazers are currently on was going to be the momentum changer for the season. Everyone knew going into this trip that Portland was either going to build momentum for a strong close to the season or send them into a dangerous deep tailspin.
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New York 121, Portland Trailblazers 79
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Officials: #75 Eric Dalen, #12 Violet Palmer, #38 Michael Smith
Attendance: 19763
After the pathetic performances by the Blazers on numerous occasions in the last week, it is obvious which way this team has gone.
The team’s 121-79 loss to a reeling New York Knicks team is just another total embarrassment.
Love ‘Em
1. Luke Babbitt
Just as Nolan Smith did in the Blazers loss against Indiana, Luke Babbitt was able to get some quality minutes in this game. Babbitt went 4 for 7 from the floor. He finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds. He was a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal game.
2. Offensive Rebounding
Portland got 16 offensive rebounds in this one. Gerald Wallace worked hard all night and he hauled in five offensive boards.
Hate ‘Em
1. Allowing 19 Three-Pointers
For some reason this TrailBlazers team struggles badly to guard the opponent outside the three-point line. Numerous times over the last few weeks Portland’s opponent has lit it up from outside. The Knicks made 19 out of 38 three-point shots last night.
2. Turnovers
The Blazers turned the ball over 23 times in this game. New York scored 31 points off those turnovers. Ray Felton had five turnovers to lead the team, but eight players had at least two turnovers in this one.
The Knicks made 19 out of 38 three-point shots last night. - (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
It’s impossible to win games in the NBA turning it over this often.
3. LaMarcus Aldridge
I’ve kept LaMarcus Aldridge out of this column until now because he carried the team for so long, but he is in a funk right now. He went 5 for 15 again tonight and scored only 15 points.
The Blazers need him to get back in the rhythm he was in early this year.
4. Lack of Assists
The TrailBlazers finished the game with just 11 assists!
There are numerous point guards in this league that frequently finish with 11 or more assists by themselves, but the Blazers could only muster 11 assists against a terrible Knicks defense.
The trade deadline is today so it will be interesting to see if any deals are made.
Portland will play again on Friday in Chicago.
| Portland | New York | ||
| Fast Break Points | 9 | Fast Break Points | 30 |
| Points in the Paint | 40 | Points in the Paint | 42 |
| Biggest Lead | 2 | Biggest Lead | 42 |
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