Blazer Beef
Opening night was a struggle for the Blazers as they lost to a young Phoenix Suns team.
Miles Plumlee went off in the first half and finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic also had great games against the Blazers.
In addition to their defensive struggles, nobody other than Damian Lillard or LaMarcus Aldridge scored in double figures.
Blazer Bravos
Portland bounced back after a tough loss to win both games in their first back-to-back of the season.
The Blazers got a win in Denver, where they had lost 18 of their last 19 trips. They held the Nuggets to 36 percent shooting and had great balance with four players scoring in double figures.
One night after being quiet from the field, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum stepped up in a big way to support Aldridge and Lillard.
Nicolas Batum took over in the first half scoring all 21 points and Matthews scored 17 of his 21 in the second half.
On Saturday, the Blazers rode efficient offense and a great defensive first half to help fight off the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in their home opener.
New additions Mo Williams, 13 points off the bench, and Robin Lopez, 12 points, both had their best offensive games so far of their Blazers careers in Saturday’s win.
By the Numbers
4th — So far this season, Portland is fourth in opponents field goal attempts from the midrange, per NBA.com. Forcing contested midrange shots is a goal the Blazers have had defensively.
25.7 — LaMarcus Aldridge’s scoring average through three games.
50 — Damian Lillard’s 3-point shooting percentage through three games.
Look ahead
Thomas Robinson week!
Tuesday: vs. Houston Rockets (7 p.m. on CSNNW Ch. 37 or 737 in HD)
Dwight Howard makes his Portland debut in a Houston Rockets uniform. Portland’s Thomas Robinson was traded to create cap space to sign Howard.
Friday: vs. Sacramento Kings (7 p.m. on CSNNW, available nationally on NBATV)
Thomas Robinson playing against the team that drafted him fifth overall.
Saturday: at Sacramento (7 p.m. on KGW Ch. 8)
The back-end of Portland’s second back-to-back this year.
