I was at a poker tournament so was unable to see the game, though I did get to listen to it a bit on the way to the tournament. Early in the game it was fairly evenly matched, but a few key events happened towards the end of the second period.
It was particularly the last minute and change on the first half that really caused the Blazers problems. They were very close, had a chance to tying the game when the Hornets threw in 5 quick unanswered points. The Blazers had whittled a 10 point deficit down to a manageable 2 or 4 points when a quick bucket and three pointer in the closing seconds suddenly jacked it back up to a discouraging 8 points.
Ironically, they were in better shape than they had been against the Spurs at the half where they took a 10 point deficit into the half. But this one felt worse because they gave so much of that lead to the Hornets in so short a time so close to the half.
I did not see or hear any of the second half but it seems like 2 things were going on. First, it appears the Blazers came out flat in the third period. It was their first sub-20 point period of the year. In addition to not scoring, they gave up a whopping 30 points. The 8 point lead ballooned to a routish 23.
The Hornets did not have any stand-out offensive performances, they just got solid contributions across the board with 6 players in double figures. Meanwhile, young guns LaMarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster struggled offensively and only Jones stepped up to fill the gap.
It was a disappointing game and will lead to a tough start to the season. But never fear, the Blazers will be back.
Just not tonight...they are outmatched by the Rockets.
6 years ago
