ElNono
02-20-2014, 01:29 AM
The Trail Blazers started the stretch drive of the season the way they went into the All-Star break, with a loss to one of the NBA's elite teams. This time it was San Antonio taking a 111-109 over Portland at the Moda Center on Wednesday.
The defeat follows losses to Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers and gave the Blazers (36-18) their first three-game losing streak of the season.
As they did against the Thunder and Clippers, the Blazers controlled the game for much of the first three quarters and led 82-81 entering the fourth quarter. But the Spurs (40-15) started the final quarter with a 13-1 run.
Former Blazers point guard Patty Mills came off the bench to 29 points for the Spurs, who had beaten the Clippers in Los Angeles the night before.
Damian Lillard, fresh off playing in his first All-Star Game, had 31 points, six assists and four rebounds for the Blazers. Mo Williams chipped in a season-high 19 points off the bench, and Wesley Matthews had 18 points for the Blazers, who lost for the fifth time in their last seven games.
The Trail Blazers had to play without their leading scorer and rebounder, LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been ruled out for at least a week because of a strained left groin. Dorell Wright, a natural small forward, started in his place and had 10 points.
The injury ward: Both teams played short-handed. In addition to Aldridge, the Blazers were without two other big men, Joel Freeland (MCL strain) and Meyers Leonard (ankle sprain).
The Spurs, who have the second-best record in the Western Conference, were without three starters in Kawhi Leonard (foot fracture), Tony Parker (several ailments) and Tim Duncan (rest).
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/02/trail_blazers_vs_san_antonio_spurs_beyond_the_box. html
The defeat follows losses to Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers and gave the Blazers (36-18) their first three-game losing streak of the season.
As they did against the Thunder and Clippers, the Blazers controlled the game for much of the first three quarters and led 82-81 entering the fourth quarter. But the Spurs (40-15) started the final quarter with a 13-1 run.
Former Blazers point guard Patty Mills came off the bench to 29 points for the Spurs, who had beaten the Clippers in Los Angeles the night before.
Damian Lillard, fresh off playing in his first All-Star Game, had 31 points, six assists and four rebounds for the Blazers. Mo Williams chipped in a season-high 19 points off the bench, and Wesley Matthews had 18 points for the Blazers, who lost for the fifth time in their last seven games.
The Trail Blazers had to play without their leading scorer and rebounder, LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been ruled out for at least a week because of a strained left groin. Dorell Wright, a natural small forward, started in his place and had 10 points.
The injury ward: Both teams played short-handed. In addition to Aldridge, the Blazers were without two other big men, Joel Freeland (MCL strain) and Meyers Leonard (ankle sprain).
The Spurs, who have the second-best record in the Western Conference, were without three starters in Kawhi Leonard (foot fracture), Tony Parker (several ailments) and Tim Duncan (rest).
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/02/trail_blazers_vs_san_antonio_spurs_beyond_the_box. html