Splits
11-01-2014, 12:36 AM
The Trail Blazers road opener looked much like the home opener. A slow start while letting a perceived weaker opponent dictate the action for three quarters.
Unlike Wednesday night, Portland didn't dominate the fourth quarter as Sacramento Kings used a 13-0 run midway through the fourth to secure a 103-94 win Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.
Rudy Gay hit his first six shots and never slowed down finishing with a game-high 40 points on 13-19 shooting. Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds helping the Kings win the rebounding battle, 49-38.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points on 7-18 shooting to lead Portland, which again saw star point guard Damian Lillard struggle offensively for the second straight game. Lillard finished with 18 points on 4-13 shooting. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to salvage another difficult night.
After a strong second half against the Thunder, Nicolas Batum never found his rhythm against the Kings finishing with just seven points. Portland shot 41 percent as a team and missed 17 three pointers. The Blazers were 9-26 from the three point line and hit just 9 of 23 shots in the fourth.
The game turned on a foul call in the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 77, Batum was called for a clear path foul when he grabbed Gay to prevent a fast break opportunity. Gay hit both technical free throws and added a three pointer when the Kings got the ball back to give Sacramento the lead for good. Gay's 5-point possession was the start of the decisive 13-0 run.
Another slow start
Just like Wednesday's season opener against Oklahoma City, the Blazers started the game slow, making just four of their first thirteen shots from the field. And just like Wednesday LaMarcus Aldridge kept the Blazers in striking distance with a monster first quarter. Aldridge had 11 of the team's 24 points in the opening period and added three rebounds. Portland trailed by as many as seven in the first, but the Aldridge-led rally cut the Sacramento lead to 26-24 by the end of the period.
Kings open third quarter strong, Blazers finish it
The Kings outscored the Blazers 14-4 in the opening four minutes of the third quarter to push the lead to 62-52. The Blazers trailed by as much as 11 in the quarter but put together a rally late after Cousins picked up his fourth foul at the 6:41 mark. The Blazers used a 15-5 run to tie the score at 71 heading into the fourth.
New lineup combinations
Terry Stotts tried out two new line up combinations in the second half. Late in the third, he went with a three guard lineup of Lillard, Steve Blake and CJ McCollum. Stotts then sent out Blake, Lillard and Wesley Matthews to start the fourth. Neither three-guard lineup played together in the opener against Oklahoma City. The results weren't wholly positive, but both groupings could see minutes together moving forward.
Kaman and Blake bright spots off the bench
Chris Kaman had 12 points and 6 rebounds and Blake added 6 points and five assists off the bench. The reserve duo were a combined +21 when on the court. Kaman logged a +10 and Steve Blake finished team-high +11.
Next up
The Blazers have a day off Saturday before facing the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Moda Center.
Unlike Wednesday night, Portland didn't dominate the fourth quarter as Sacramento Kings used a 13-0 run midway through the fourth to secure a 103-94 win Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.
Rudy Gay hit his first six shots and never slowed down finishing with a game-high 40 points on 13-19 shooting. Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds helping the Kings win the rebounding battle, 49-38.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points on 7-18 shooting to lead Portland, which again saw star point guard Damian Lillard struggle offensively for the second straight game. Lillard finished with 18 points on 4-13 shooting. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to salvage another difficult night.
After a strong second half against the Thunder, Nicolas Batum never found his rhythm against the Kings finishing with just seven points. Portland shot 41 percent as a team and missed 17 three pointers. The Blazers were 9-26 from the three point line and hit just 9 of 23 shots in the fourth.
The game turned on a foul call in the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 77, Batum was called for a clear path foul when he grabbed Gay to prevent a fast break opportunity. Gay hit both technical free throws and added a three pointer when the Kings got the ball back to give Sacramento the lead for good. Gay's 5-point possession was the start of the decisive 13-0 run.
Another slow start
Just like Wednesday's season opener against Oklahoma City, the Blazers started the game slow, making just four of their first thirteen shots from the field. And just like Wednesday LaMarcus Aldridge kept the Blazers in striking distance with a monster first quarter. Aldridge had 11 of the team's 24 points in the opening period and added three rebounds. Portland trailed by as many as seven in the first, but the Aldridge-led rally cut the Sacramento lead to 26-24 by the end of the period.
Kings open third quarter strong, Blazers finish it
The Kings outscored the Blazers 14-4 in the opening four minutes of the third quarter to push the lead to 62-52. The Blazers trailed by as much as 11 in the quarter but put together a rally late after Cousins picked up his fourth foul at the 6:41 mark. The Blazers used a 15-5 run to tie the score at 71 heading into the fourth.
New lineup combinations
Terry Stotts tried out two new line up combinations in the second half. Late in the third, he went with a three guard lineup of Lillard, Steve Blake and CJ McCollum. Stotts then sent out Blake, Lillard and Wesley Matthews to start the fourth. Neither three-guard lineup played together in the opener against Oklahoma City. The results weren't wholly positive, but both groupings could see minutes together moving forward.
Kaman and Blake bright spots off the bench
Chris Kaman had 12 points and 6 rebounds and Blake added 6 points and five assists off the bench. The reserve duo were a combined +21 when on the court. Kaman logged a +10 and Steve Blake finished team-high +11.
Next up
The Blazers have a day off Saturday before facing the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Moda Center.