Chris
10-24-2014, 02:41 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/10/trail_blazers_lakers_game_rewind.html#incart_most-read
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/pgmain/img/oregonian/photo/2014/10/22/-b55a71829c68d85c.JPG
ONTARIO, Calif. — It was a win-lose kind of night for the Trail Blazers.
They lost 94-86 to the Los Angeles Lakers in an exhibition game at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. But, in doing so, they moved one step closer to the regular season.
After extending his starters' minutes in the first game of a back-to-back during a Tuesday night win over the Denver Nuggets, coach Terry Stotts opted to rest all but one of them against the Lakers. And the Lakers took advantage, building a 50-37 halftime lead en route to the win.
Damian Lillard was the only Blazers starter who played — and that's because he requested to do so. After missing two exhibition games with a strained left foot earlier in the exhibition season, Lillard wanted to play in a back-to-back to push himself closer to regular season game shape.
Was it worth it?
"Yeah," Lillard said afterward. "I'm ready."
As the starters sat, the Blazers' backups saw extended time. It was a mixed bag.
Allen Crabbe, who started at shooting guard, continued his quietly effective and efficient exhibition season, recording 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, while making 5 of 9 shots, in 35 minutes. Before Wednesday night, in just 44 preseason minutes, he was shooting 70 percent (7 for 10), including 50 percent from the field (3 for 6).
"Allen's been very solid," Stotts said. "I thought he was very solid in doing what he does well. He's usually in the right place defensively. He didn't force too much offensively, took shots that were there, made passes that were there. I thought he had a good night."
Meanwhile, CJ McCollum shook off a slow start to finish with 17 points and three assists and Meyers Leonard recorded 13 points and four rebounds — and made 3 of 4 three-pointers.
On the flipside, Will Barton — who is fighting McCollum for regular season minutes — had an off night. He had 10 points and six rebounds, but was sloppy with the ball (four turnovers) and inconsistent on defense.
Afterward, in the Blazers' locker room, Barton was especially hard on himself, saying he had to — and would — play better moving forward.
The loss dropped the Blazers' preseason record to 3-3.
Kaman continues to impress
Chris Kaman, the Blazers' biggest offseason acquisition, continued his strong preseason Wednesday, finishing with 12 points, three assists and two blocks in 23 minutes.
The Blazers' backup big man started at center in place of Robin Lopez and showed all of the attributes that should make him a difference-maker this season, including a nice shooting touch from outside, a nose for the basketball and better-than-expected passing ability.
Kaman, who has played in all six of the Blazers' exhibition games, is averaging 9.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while shooting 63.4 percent from the field (26 for 41).
Blast from the past
For Lillard, playing in Ontario — in Citizens Business Bank Arena — rekindled a fond memory. It was here where Lillard made his NBA debut, playing in the Blazers' first exhibition game of the 2012-13 season.
That game, also against the Lakers, foreshadowed the incredible success he's had through two seasons. After shaking off a few nerves, the All-Star point guard was spectacular, recording 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while making 6 of 11 shots, in roughly 23 minutes. After the promising performance, Nicolas Batum told The Oregonian: "That's why he's going to be one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year. He ran the show. He put is all in good spots. He got the ball to lots of guys and he took good shots. He did it all."
It was a different story during Lillard's second visit to Ontario, however. He only played in the first half — without any of the other Blazers starters — and finished with eight points, two assists and two steals in 17 minutes. Lillard made 3 of 5 shots, but committed five turnovers.
Kobe sits
Kobe Bryant did not play against the Blazers and also will sit out the Lakers' final exhibition game against the Sacramento Kings, according to multiple published reports. Bryant, who is easing back from a left knee injury that forced him to miss all but six games last season, averaged 19.0 points, four assists, three rebounds and 1.7 steals in 26.7 minutes during the preseason. He played in six games.
Next up
The Blazers end a three-game trip and play their final outing of the preseason on Friday night, when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.
--Joe Freeman | @BlazerFreeman
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/pgmain/img/oregonian/photo/2014/10/22/-b55a71829c68d85c.JPG
ONTARIO, Calif. — It was a win-lose kind of night for the Trail Blazers.
They lost 94-86 to the Los Angeles Lakers in an exhibition game at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. But, in doing so, they moved one step closer to the regular season.
After extending his starters' minutes in the first game of a back-to-back during a Tuesday night win over the Denver Nuggets, coach Terry Stotts opted to rest all but one of them against the Lakers. And the Lakers took advantage, building a 50-37 halftime lead en route to the win.
Damian Lillard was the only Blazers starter who played — and that's because he requested to do so. After missing two exhibition games with a strained left foot earlier in the exhibition season, Lillard wanted to play in a back-to-back to push himself closer to regular season game shape.
Was it worth it?
"Yeah," Lillard said afterward. "I'm ready."
As the starters sat, the Blazers' backups saw extended time. It was a mixed bag.
Allen Crabbe, who started at shooting guard, continued his quietly effective and efficient exhibition season, recording 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, while making 5 of 9 shots, in 35 minutes. Before Wednesday night, in just 44 preseason minutes, he was shooting 70 percent (7 for 10), including 50 percent from the field (3 for 6).
"Allen's been very solid," Stotts said. "I thought he was very solid in doing what he does well. He's usually in the right place defensively. He didn't force too much offensively, took shots that were there, made passes that were there. I thought he had a good night."
Meanwhile, CJ McCollum shook off a slow start to finish with 17 points and three assists and Meyers Leonard recorded 13 points and four rebounds — and made 3 of 4 three-pointers.
On the flipside, Will Barton — who is fighting McCollum for regular season minutes — had an off night. He had 10 points and six rebounds, but was sloppy with the ball (four turnovers) and inconsistent on defense.
Afterward, in the Blazers' locker room, Barton was especially hard on himself, saying he had to — and would — play better moving forward.
The loss dropped the Blazers' preseason record to 3-3.
Kaman continues to impress
Chris Kaman, the Blazers' biggest offseason acquisition, continued his strong preseason Wednesday, finishing with 12 points, three assists and two blocks in 23 minutes.
The Blazers' backup big man started at center in place of Robin Lopez and showed all of the attributes that should make him a difference-maker this season, including a nice shooting touch from outside, a nose for the basketball and better-than-expected passing ability.
Kaman, who has played in all six of the Blazers' exhibition games, is averaging 9.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while shooting 63.4 percent from the field (26 for 41).
Blast from the past
For Lillard, playing in Ontario — in Citizens Business Bank Arena — rekindled a fond memory. It was here where Lillard made his NBA debut, playing in the Blazers' first exhibition game of the 2012-13 season.
That game, also against the Lakers, foreshadowed the incredible success he's had through two seasons. After shaking off a few nerves, the All-Star point guard was spectacular, recording 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while making 6 of 11 shots, in roughly 23 minutes. After the promising performance, Nicolas Batum told The Oregonian: "That's why he's going to be one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year. He ran the show. He put is all in good spots. He got the ball to lots of guys and he took good shots. He did it all."
It was a different story during Lillard's second visit to Ontario, however. He only played in the first half — without any of the other Blazers starters — and finished with eight points, two assists and two steals in 17 minutes. Lillard made 3 of 5 shots, but committed five turnovers.
Kobe sits
Kobe Bryant did not play against the Blazers and also will sit out the Lakers' final exhibition game against the Sacramento Kings, according to multiple published reports. Bryant, who is easing back from a left knee injury that forced him to miss all but six games last season, averaged 19.0 points, four assists, three rebounds and 1.7 steals in 26.7 minutes during the preseason. He played in six games.
Next up
The Blazers end a three-game trip and play their final outing of the preseason on Friday night, when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.
--Joe Freeman | @BlazerFreeman