Blazer Beef
The Blazers had a decent week, going 2-2 in four tough games against the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers.
But they had a host of rough plays during that stretch that held back what could have been an even better week. Turnovers and a poor second half against the Clippers doomed them after they scored 38 points in the first quarter.
But the toughest play to see this week was LaMarcus Aldridge fouling the Clippers Chris Paul with 38 seconds left and the Blazers down by two. Their three consecutive turnovers against Golden State was rough, but you don’t expect mistakes like that from the team captain.
Blazer Bravo
On Sunday night, the Portland Trail Blazers all wore T-shirts that said “Sandy” in honor of Blazers season ticket holder and fan Sandra Zickefoose who collapsed at Thursday’s game against the Mavericks. Zickefoose passed away at the age of 67.
When asked about the T-shirts, it appears that it was an organizational idea with many players not knowing until they arrived to the Blazers locker room that they’d gotten the shirts. Still, it was a class move from the organization.
“I mean it’s a small gesture obviously when someone loses their life there’s a lot of sadness and grief,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “I think it’s a way for us to show the family we are thinking of her and hopefully they are doing well.”
By The Numbers
41 — The Los Angeles Clippers took 41 of their 81 field goal attempts on Saturday against the Blazers from midrange.
2 — The Blazers are one of two teams in the NBA this season to rank the top 10 in defensive and offensive efficiency along with the Houston Rockets.
4 — Four out of the Blazers next five games will be at the Moda Center.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday vs. Charlotte Hornets (7 p.m., CSN) — The Hornets are back in Charlotte and have won two in a row after stumbling out of the gate including a buzzer-beater by free agent signing Lance Stephenson.
Wednesday at Denver Nuggets (6 p.m., KGW 8) — The Blazers cap off a four-game in five-night stretch in the Mile High City, the toughest back-to-back in the league due to the altitude.
Saturday vs. Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m., CSN) — Robin Lopez’s twin brother Brook Lopez recently came back from injury and is averaging 15 points and 6 rebounds per game in the four games since returning.
