tlongII
12-23-2012, 07:56 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/12/trail_blazers_96_suns_93_damian_lillard_takes_port .html
http://media.oregonlive.com/oregonian/photo/2012/12/12031053-large.jpg
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, is fouled from behind by Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic.
Portland got 25 points from rookie Damian Lillard to fend off Phoenix for its fifth win in a row, the franchise's longest winning streak since February 2011. The Blazers improved to 13-12, going over .500 for the first time since they won at Houston on Nov.3 to go to 2-1.
Double-double times seven: J.J. Hickson finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds for his seventh consecutive double-double, the longest streak by a Portland player since Arvydas Sabonis had seven in a row in November 1997. The double-double was Hickson's 15th of the season.
Near quad: Nicolas Batum almost got a dubious quadruple-double as he finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and seven turnovers. The turnovers tied his career high.
Another short stint: For the second time in three games, Wesley Matthews had a short night because of his injured left hip. Matthews was scoreless in 9 minutes, 49 seconds of the first quarter before he left the game and did not return. The hip injury -- which sidelined Matthews for two games -- limited him to 3:30 against New Orleans on Sunday, but he played 39 minutes against Denver on Thursday and scored 20 points. Matthews did not travel with the team to Sacramento for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Pitching in: With Matthews out, Victor Claver slid into his first-unit spot at shooting guard and had his best game, getting a career-high seven points and four rebounds. Claver shots 3 for 4 from the field after shooting 3 for 20 in the eight games he appeared in previously.
A whole lot of Kings: The Blazers next turn their attention to Sacramento, with back-to-back games against the Kings. They play at Sacramento tonight at 6p.m., then host the Kings on Wednesday.
http://media.oregonlive.com/oregonian/photo/2012/12/12031053-large.jpg
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, left, is fouled from behind by Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic.
Portland got 25 points from rookie Damian Lillard to fend off Phoenix for its fifth win in a row, the franchise's longest winning streak since February 2011. The Blazers improved to 13-12, going over .500 for the first time since they won at Houston on Nov.3 to go to 2-1.
Double-double times seven: J.J. Hickson finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds for his seventh consecutive double-double, the longest streak by a Portland player since Arvydas Sabonis had seven in a row in November 1997. The double-double was Hickson's 15th of the season.
Near quad: Nicolas Batum almost got a dubious quadruple-double as he finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and seven turnovers. The turnovers tied his career high.
Another short stint: For the second time in three games, Wesley Matthews had a short night because of his injured left hip. Matthews was scoreless in 9 minutes, 49 seconds of the first quarter before he left the game and did not return. The hip injury -- which sidelined Matthews for two games -- limited him to 3:30 against New Orleans on Sunday, but he played 39 minutes against Denver on Thursday and scored 20 points. Matthews did not travel with the team to Sacramento for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Pitching in: With Matthews out, Victor Claver slid into his first-unit spot at shooting guard and had his best game, getting a career-high seven points and four rebounds. Claver shots 3 for 4 from the field after shooting 3 for 20 in the eight games he appeared in previously.
A whole lot of Kings: The Blazers next turn their attention to Sacramento, with back-to-back games against the Kings. They play at Sacramento tonight at 6p.m., then host the Kings on Wednesday.