Chris
01-16-2015, 11:46 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/01/trail_blazers_at_spurs_game_rewind.html
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width620/img/oregonian/photo/2015/01/16/16792928-mmmain.jpg
The San Antonio Spurs, finally healthy, returned to championship form, handling the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 110-96 Friday night.
With its Big Three (plus one) of Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan and Manu Giniboli all available, San Antonio was surgical in its attack, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half.
The return of Leonard -- who missed the last 15 games with a torn ligament in his right hand -- bolstered a balanced offensive effort. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP scored a team-high 20 points, along with five assists, four rebounds and three steals, as four Spurs finished with at least 17 points.
"San Antonio looked like the team that won the championship," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said after the loss. "I thought it was a possession game. They had 16 more shots than us at the end of the third quarter. The extra possessions, whether it was turnovers, offensive rebounds ... there's not too many games where we shoot over 50 percent and are behind most of the night."
The defending champs got started early, scoring 35 points in the first quarter and leading by eight at the half, 60-52, behind eight offensive rebounds and eight Portland turnovers, resulting in plus-11 in field goal attempts.
Portland drew four quick fouls to open the second half, pulling within six, but could not slow the offensive machine that is a healthy Spurs offense. San Antonio scored on seven consecutive possessions in the middle of the third quarter, building an 18-point lead that quickly rose to 23.
The Spurs racked up 34 assists on 42 makes, scoring 25 points off 16 turnovers by the Blazers, including 17 on fast breaks. San Antonio also dominated the offensive glass, with 15 of their 49 rebounds coming on the offensive end, leading to a 20-5 advantage in second chance points. Those second looks helped produce 20 more field goals than Portland, which fell despite shooting an even 50 percent (37 of 74) from the floor.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 24 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists. Damian Lillard, who scored a career-high 43 in the last meeting in San Antonio, added 23 points.
It was just the third time this season Portland (30-10), which has now lost two in a row, has dropped a game by double figures.
The Blazers lead the season series 2-1, with the final meeting Wednesday, Feb 25 at the Moda Center.
Continuing to climb: Aldridge (5,085) passed Jerome Kersey (5,078) for second on Portland's all-time rebounding list with his second board of the game. Aldridge -- second all-time in points -- is averaging 10.5 rebounds per game in his ninth NBA season. Clyde Drexler is the franchise leader in rebounds with 5,339.
Bench production: Meyers Leonard continued his strong play off the bench scoring his double figures for the fourth straight game. He made his first three shots of the game, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, an assist and two blocks. CJ McCollum led Blazers' bench production with 17 points, making 7 of 10 from the floor.
Next up: Portland completes its tough back-to-back Saturday against the Grizzlies in Memphis (6 p.m. on CSN/620 AM).
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width960/img/oregonian/photo/2015/01/16/-6f4d4b943bf35c8f.JPG
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width620/img/oregonian/photo/2015/01/16/16792928-mmmain.jpg
The San Antonio Spurs, finally healthy, returned to championship form, handling the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 110-96 Friday night.
With its Big Three (plus one) of Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan and Manu Giniboli all available, San Antonio was surgical in its attack, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half.
The return of Leonard -- who missed the last 15 games with a torn ligament in his right hand -- bolstered a balanced offensive effort. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP scored a team-high 20 points, along with five assists, four rebounds and three steals, as four Spurs finished with at least 17 points.
"San Antonio looked like the team that won the championship," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said after the loss. "I thought it was a possession game. They had 16 more shots than us at the end of the third quarter. The extra possessions, whether it was turnovers, offensive rebounds ... there's not too many games where we shoot over 50 percent and are behind most of the night."
The defending champs got started early, scoring 35 points in the first quarter and leading by eight at the half, 60-52, behind eight offensive rebounds and eight Portland turnovers, resulting in plus-11 in field goal attempts.
Portland drew four quick fouls to open the second half, pulling within six, but could not slow the offensive machine that is a healthy Spurs offense. San Antonio scored on seven consecutive possessions in the middle of the third quarter, building an 18-point lead that quickly rose to 23.
The Spurs racked up 34 assists on 42 makes, scoring 25 points off 16 turnovers by the Blazers, including 17 on fast breaks. San Antonio also dominated the offensive glass, with 15 of their 49 rebounds coming on the offensive end, leading to a 20-5 advantage in second chance points. Those second looks helped produce 20 more field goals than Portland, which fell despite shooting an even 50 percent (37 of 74) from the floor.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 24 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists. Damian Lillard, who scored a career-high 43 in the last meeting in San Antonio, added 23 points.
It was just the third time this season Portland (30-10), which has now lost two in a row, has dropped a game by double figures.
The Blazers lead the season series 2-1, with the final meeting Wednesday, Feb 25 at the Moda Center.
Continuing to climb: Aldridge (5,085) passed Jerome Kersey (5,078) for second on Portland's all-time rebounding list with his second board of the game. Aldridge -- second all-time in points -- is averaging 10.5 rebounds per game in his ninth NBA season. Clyde Drexler is the franchise leader in rebounds with 5,339.
Bench production: Meyers Leonard continued his strong play off the bench scoring his double figures for the fourth straight game. He made his first three shots of the game, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, an assist and two blocks. CJ McCollum led Blazers' bench production with 17 points, making 7 of 10 from the floor.
Next up: Portland completes its tough back-to-back Saturday against the Grizzlies in Memphis (6 p.m. on CSN/620 AM).
http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width960/img/oregonian/photo/2015/01/16/-6f4d4b943bf35c8f.JPG