Blazers Drop One in LA
It certainly wasn’t one of the team’s worst performances of late, but the Portland Trail Blazers did lose last night in Los Angeles.
The Lakers took control of the game in the first quarter, but Portland fought back to within one point in the final stanza.
In the end, the Lakers closed out a tight 103-96 victory.
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Lakers 103, Portland 96
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, March 23, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #55 Bill Kennedy, #28 Tommy Nunez Jr., #65 Sean Wright
Attendance: 18997
Love ’Em
1. Fight from the TrailBlazers
It would have been easy for the Blazers to quit when they were down 42-30 in the second quarter, but the team kept battling all the way. The effort was there, and that is a big improvement from a few games ago.
2.LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge was 12 for 18 from the floor for 29 points last night. He also pulled down nine rebounds. After a brief lull, it seems Aldridge is back on track of late.
3. J.J. Hickson
The Blazers just claimed J.J. Hickson off waivers, and he walked right in and put in 14 points in just 22 minutes last night. It was a great debut for a player who has a pretty nice upside. He could be a big contributor for this Blazers team.
Blazers vs Lakers: Love 'em & Hate 'em
Hate ’Em
1. Rebounding
The Lakers have a very big frontcourt, and the Blazers were likely to get outrebounded in this one, but 53-29 is ridiculous. Los Angeles grabbed 17 offensive rebounds compared to just six for the Blazers.
Pau Gasol had 16 rebounds and Andrew Bynum had nine as the Lakers frontcourt dominated this game.
2.Raymond Felton
After a few good games, Raymond Felton had an ugly game last night. He was 2 for 11 from the floor for just six points.
Felton missed a lot of shots around the basket, and in a close game like this one those misses were costly.
3. Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford put up 14 shots last night and finished with only 10 points. He had two assists and two turnovers. The Blazers need a much more efficient game out of Crawford.
Portland has the day off Saturday before hosting Golden State on Sunday evening at the Rose Garden.
Portland needs to get back on track against the short-handed Warriors.
| Portland | L.A. Lakers | ||
| Fast Break Points | 9 | Fast Break Points | 9 |
| Points in the Paint | 32 | Points in the Paint | 46 |
| Biggest Lead | 0 | Biggest Lead | 12 |
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