The Portland Trail Blazers did what they needed to do on Tuesday night, vanquishing the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 at Portland’s Moda Center. The victory ended up looking far more decisive than the action was. New Orleans remained within shouting distance of the victory until the final moments. But the win counts the same in the standings no matter how it’s achieved. The Blazers now stand at 40-38, passing the rival Los Angeles Clippers (39-38), as L.A. lost a decisive game to the San Antonio Spurs.
Here are a few observations from the evening.
Three-for-All
The Blazers got outplayed in several aspects of the game, but one stat made up for everything. Portland shot 20-51, 39% from the three-point arc. The Pelicans managed only 9-24. Making almost as many threes as your opponent attempted will do it most nights in the NBA. This one included.
Still Not Getting It
If the Blazers intended to come out with intensity in this game, they sure didn’t show it. Gone were the verve and vinegar of their start (and finish) against the Clippers on Sunday night, a game they apparently considered critical…versus whatever they saw this game as, I guess? Portland allowed New Orleans to shoot over 50% from the field in the first period, over 40% from the arc. Then they got hosed in the second quarter. Why?
Legendary Blazers coach Jack Ramsay once said that getting up emotionally for an NBA game was almost always a mistake because inevitably the next game would provide a corresponding low. Portland proved the maxim, at least somewhat, tonight. If they want to be great, they have to bring it every game, especially on the defensive end.
As much credit as I’d like to give the Blazers for the W, it’s hard to ignore the fact that they were a couple of Jeremiah Fears layup misses away from being in a tie ballgame with an inferior team down the stretch. This may have been run-of-the-mill NBA “get the regular season win” basketball, but it certainly wasn’t playoffs-quality.
Deni Produces
Deni Avdija put up his usual impressive stat line of 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He’s a handful for every opponent, every night. Full credit there.
The one thing that strikes me about Avdija’s game as the season closes is how much he relies on the foul shots he’s famous for. He attempted 13 free throws tonight, making 10. I’m not dogging his approach. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander manufactured an MVP award the exact same way. It does strike me that all Portland’s postseason opponents need is one night where the refs swallow their whistles and a huge part of the attack is just gone. It’s possible Portland needs a year or two more seasoning to open the floor more for Deni, allowing him to score more naturally.
Points in the Paint
If New Orleans had a counterpoint to Portland’s distance shooting, it was points in the paint. They beat the Blazers 48-40. The margin was wider earlier in the contest when it looked like the Pelicans had a shot to win it. Fast cutters and a big forward were enough to send Portland’s interior defense into retreat for much of the game.
Try and Try Again
The Blazers had an answer to those interior buckets though. Portland owned a 25-8 edge in second-chance points off of 14 offensive rebounds. The allowed New Orleans 12 offensive boards, but scoring after the retrieval was definitely a Portland strong point.
Turnovers
In a really nice twist, tonight the Blazers won because of turnovers instead of losing because of them. New Orleans held the lead at the half, but Portland came out stealing the ball like it was free candy. The Pels managed only 16 points in the third, in part because they didn’t get to shoot as much. The Blazers won the turnover battle 19-16, scoring 11 more points after TO’s than the opponent did. That makes the game easier.
Clingan’s Weak Spot
Donovan Clingan, though impressive in his usual zones, played only 22 minutes tonight, in part because he had a hard time handling mobile offensive players Derik Queen and Zion Williamson. Height and bulk are Clingan’s huge advantages, but when opponents move around him, those edges get blunted. This is one of the riddles the Blazers will need to solve with their increasingly-dominant center as time passes.
Thybulle Pesky
Matisse Thybulle has been an unsung hero for Portland since his return from injury at the end of February. Tonight he got a little more opera time, playing 31 minutes, scoring 13 points with 5 rebounds and 2 steals. The man can defend on the perimeter. Portland’s defense is just different when he’s in.
Holiday Fourth
With the game still in the balance in the early stretches of the fourth period, Jrue Holiday took over, scoring big and settling his team down for the walk-away win. Holiday ended up leading the Blazers with 27 points, to which he added 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 turnovers. The stats are less important than the timing. Holiday knows when to hold ‘em, knows when to fold ‘em, and knows when to tip over the table and just launch a three.
Scoot Shoots
Scoot Henderson stepped back a little tonight but took advantage of the opportunities he had, getting loose for 6-12, 50% shooting from the floor on his way to 14 points via some really decent play off the ball.
Up Next
The Blazers will have a couple days of before traveling to Ball Arena to face the Denver Nuggets on Monday night at 6:00 PM, Pacific Time.
