Following a 98-93 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, the Portland Trail Blazers are now riding a three-game winning streak. That streak includes a 114-113 overtime win against those same
Kings on Thursday and a 136-131 thriller against the Golden State Warriors from last Sunday.
After this latest close victory, Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter talked with media on the road in Sacramento about what he liked from his team’s play and other storylines.
We used the clock better. We got a couple of turnovers there again [late], but got the win. We gotta learn from it. Those little mistakes, I’m not happy with them. But I think overall, our defense, I think we stepped up tonight. Guys were more active. I think [Robert Williams III] and [Donovan Clingan] did a great job at the rim. [The Kings] kept shooting those midrange shots and making them, but it’s not the most efficient shot in the game, and I think we protected the rim and got the W.
Along with Clingan’s paint protection and two blocks against Sacramento, the 7-foot-2 big man produced 14 points, 14 rebounds and a steal while shooting 6-7 from the floor. Splitter talked more about the big man’s impact in the win, highlighting a key put-back Clingan scored with 2:29 left while Portland was holding onto a one-point lead.
He was huge, even with that offensive rebound at the end and putting the ball back in. He brings the energy defensively. It’s hard to attack our paint when he’s there and he’s active.
Splitter also highlighted the positives he’s seen from the team during this three-game winning streak.
I’m just happy that they’re stepping up every game. Shaedon is getting better every night. Deni is getting better at point guard every night. DC protecting the rim. Guys are having more confidence out there. Toumani shooting the ball. So it’s good to see them developing and getting better.
Clingan was the only Blazers player to be interviewed by media after the game. He gave his perspective on why Portland was able to pull out the win and what this three-game streak can do for the team moving forward.
We got a lotta big rebounds, a lotta big defensive stops, and we were able to execute down the stretch. … It just gives us momentum and shows that we can compete, and we can win close games, win big games. It just gives us the confidence to go in every night and perform at the highest level.
Clingan also reacted to Shaedon Sharpe’s play in the win after the high-flying guard produced 23 points on 52.6% shooting and one of the nastiest dunks you’ll see all year.
Shaedon’s special. He’s got a lotta talent. That dunk was crazy. He’s been in attack mode, kill mode, and he’s been putting on a show for us. … That [dunk] was wild … I was right under the basket looking like ‘damn.’ If I was on defense, I ain’t blocking that.
Splitter, Clingan and the Blazers will have a chance to make it four in a row on Monday night when they take on the stout Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific at the Moda Center.
