We have reached an important milestone with Blazersedge Night.  We now have fewer than 100 tickets left to purchase from the original batch of 400 we are trying to donate to kids who otherwise wouldn't get to see a game.  Together we're really going to do this and I can't wait for the day I can announce to you that we have sold out!  But we need that final push to make it happen.

For those who haven't heard, those 400 tickets are going to be distributed throughout the greater Portland area to teachers and principals and social workers and all kinds of people who work with young folks.  They'll go straight to kids--some small groups, some in pairs or threes, some in entire classes--who simply cannot attend a game because of their economic situation.  This is the third year we've done this but never on this large of a scale.  But the stories we get from the kids and the adults who work with them--stories of eyes open wide in awe, formerly reticent students chatting like magpies, kids who were tuned out suddenly interested in everything--made us decide to go big this time.  300 kids are already going.  100 more are waiting.

We need your help to send that last 100.  I really believe that this is how we define ourselves as a community and as Blazer fans.  We may differ on point guard preferences or post entry schemes but at the end of the day we all band together so the next generation can have the same chance to have those discussions that we've been given.  Please consider being a part of this.  Here's how:

The game is January 25th versus the New Orleans Hornets.  Tickets are $22 each. 

• You can call the Blazers directly at 503-797-9637.  When you do so please be clear that you are ordering for Blazersedge Night and that you're donating the tickets, otherwise they'll mail them to you instead of getting them to the kids.  Also be aware that there's a $5 service charge per order (not per ticket) this way.
• If you'd rather, you can donate money via PayPal.  The address is blazersedge22@yahoo.com.  This is great if you want to donate odd amounts (like $10 or $50).
• If you want to send a check you can contact me at blazersub@yahoo.com and I'll give you the mailing address for Blazersedge.

You can also purchase tickets for yourself, friends, or family for you to attend that night.  If you're going to do so, please order your tickets by December 1st.  After that point we're going to free up unsold tickets for charity and see if we can sell out that way.  Please be clear when you order whether the tickets are for you or the kids.

I'd also like to acknowledge a couple folks who have purchased blocks of tickets.

The good gentlemen of Zersgear.com were so kind as to help out.  They have tees and hoodies and all the 'Zers material you could want.  Please check out their site and let them know what you think.

Leigh is both the author of YourHomeBasedMom and a rabid Blazer fan.  She's doing a series of Blazer-related dishes for your game-day party.  Check out this insanely good Buffalo Chicken Dip!  I don't know what kind of genetic voodoo she had to do in order to get the buffalo and the chicken together, but it works!  She also has some pics of her boys there and apparently they're huge Blazersedge fans as well.  Hey guys...your mom rocks.  If you get to go to Blazersedge night I'd love to meet you and when we do our next batch of t-shirts yours are on me!

If you want to donate a block of tickets and would like a mention contact me and we'll talk.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

Game Time:  5:00 p.m. Pacific  TV:  Comcast

Somehow this opponent feels oddly familiar.  Ah yes...the Timberwolves.  That would be the team we just racked up by 23 two games ago.  The 'Wolves will be hoping that a return to the frozen confines of Target Center will allow them the opportunity to change from their secret identity "The Anti-Transition-Defense Legion" into the Super Mega Wonder Dominance Brigade (plus Corey Brewer).  Perhaps the throaty roar of their hometown fans will provide them the energy they need to seize control of the boards, the tempo, and the painted area away from the Blazers. Well, OK...admittedly it's more like scattered coughs from their fans at this point.  And that's not a knock on Minnesota fandom.  I remember the years before Marbury and Garnett arrived and how much that franchise suffered.  I also remember vividly the discussion that surrounded Stephon and Kevin and how much confidence the community held that the team had entered a new, possibly championship-quality, era with their arrival.  It was actually pretty cruel to have that optimism run through the wringer because the collective talent level of that duo was top scale but the collective nuttiness quotient broke the meter.  (Sprewell didn't help later either.)  As anyone who watches their feeds on League Pass knows, the Timberwolves' latest ad campaign slogan is "We really, really, really screwed every pooch we've ever had.  So...do over?"  I'm not kidding.  And I'm not sure it's helping.  It's hard not to imagine fans quoting the illustrious Montgomery Scott, "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me tw...HOW much for season tickets?!?  HA HA HA HA HA!!!  That's rich!"

In any case the Blazers do have to be ready for the dreaded revenge game tonight.  It's a back-to-back for Portland.  Minnesota played on Monday night, losing 105 to 192,000,000,000 to Golden State.  So it's not just the Blazers that the Timberwolves are seeking revenge against.  It's the universe.  Those games are always dangerous.

Portland played pretty much the textbook game against Minnesota the other night.  The Blazers have better talent and more cohesion.  If they can evidence even a small bit of will the game should be theirs.  Give the struggling puppies some confidence, however, and they'll bite you all night.  You might still win but you'll get scratched up.  And you could lose, in effect undoing the good work of the night before.

Defensively the Blazers need to let Jonny Flynn shoot but not penetrate, run, or create for others.  If they can manage to do that while keeping a man somewhere near Al Jefferson Minnesota will have a difficult time generating enough points to matter.  Keeping at least even on the boards, particularly limiting the 'Wolves second-chance points, is important.  On offense take advantage of their relative slowness of foot and lack of commitment.  Run if you can.  Drive the lane or post it, suck them inside, then pass.  The ball moves faster than they will.  It shouldn't be too hard to get any shot you need.  Just don't settle for brain-dead offense.

Since we've played them so recently there's not much more to it than that.  Go, fight, win, walk out of there 2-0 on the road trip.

Don't forget to read up on the alternate perspective at the ever-excellent CanisHoopus.

Enter tonight's Jersey Contest form here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

This was a fairly standard Blazer game, which made it a fairly odd Grizzlies game.  As the final score indicates, this worked to Portland's advantage.  The Blazers did exactly what they needed to do, not much more but certainly not less.  They played a smart and efficient game, made relatively few mistakes, and faced the Grizzlies down mano-a-mano.  In the end Memphis' weaknesses told more than Portland's.  End of story.

The Blazers evidenced some basic flaws at the outset of the game, continuing through most of the first half.  For one they let the Grizzlies pass the ball and find the open man from the outset.  That's not a forte for the Grizz.  They're used to hitting tough shots off the dribble.  This "passing" thing made their looks a lot easier.  For a while they liked it.  Second, Portland turned the ball over and let the Grizzlies run out.  If there were a manual on how to beat Memphis, Page One would have a title--bolded, centered, and in 92-point font--saying, "Never Ever Ever Ever Ever EVER Do That!"  It's like the president making crank calls on the red phone.  You're probably going to be OK but you're playing with fire.  Also they let Memphis grab some opportune offensive rebounds.  You wondered at first if the Blazers were going to get serious about this game.

On the other hand the Grizzlies defense, as per usual, looked like thin-sliced Swiss cheese in a hurricane.  You got the same feeling watching LaMarcus Aldridge pop turn-arounds over Zach Randolph that you get when those "Please Save These Puppies" commercials come on the TV.  It's sick and wrong and sad and the poor things look so helpless, but what can you do?   The Blazers milked Aldridge and Brandon Roy and it didn't seem like either one missed a shot.  Whatever shortcomings the Blazers showed were overcome by the cruelly stabbing offense.  After the two stars took the bench and the second unit took over the offense stalled but the half finished strong as Martell Webster joined the duo as a third scorer (from the foul line anyway).  The game was tied at 45 at the end of the half. 

Turnover-inspired breakouts aside, the pace remained slow throughout the half.  This would continue for most of the game.  It was probably partially a strategic decision and partially the game flowing the same way it started, a victim of its own sloppiness.  The Blazers made sure to work the ball down low from the outset.  They also continued their trend of packing the middle defensively.  Both stopped the Grizzlies from free-wheeling their way through the game.  Both Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo look more like Clark Kent than Superman when they're ground-bound and walking.  That's not a bad outcome for Portland.

Entering the third period you got the strong feeling that whichever team made a run first was going to take the game.  The Blazers ended up being that team.  LaMarcus Aldridge provided nice energy on the boards and on defense.  Greg Oden, absent for most of the first half with two fouls, played consistently and started taking advantage of the smaller Memphis defenders.  As in Sunday's game layups, free throws, and assisted jumpers were the order of the day on offense.  Portland got back defensively and kept Memphis off the boards.  The Grizzlies, meanwhile, decided that jump shots were their road to salvation.  If salvation is built with bricks, they were right.  Portland exited the period up 8, usually a modest margin against Memphis but in this game a significant gap.

The Grizz made a final run at it in the fourth but Oden and Rudy Fernandez upped the energy factor on defense and kept them at bay.  (That's right...Rudy Fernandez.  Hola!  Welcome to the season, Rudy.)   The offense was a free-for-all with Oden beating down the door and everybody else charging through in his wake.  When the smoke (and the "crowd") cleared the Blazers emerged victorious by 14.  Memphis had some chances but they couldn't take advantage of them because of their lack of trust on offense and they couldn't sustain the open window because of their lack of defense.

Portland shot 45.7% for the game but a striking 50% (9-18) from distance.  They finished slightly behind the Grizzlies in rebounds, had slightly more turnovers, but obliterated them in assists.  Memphis took 78 shots to Portland's 70 but only shot 37.2% with a 10% clip (1-10) from the three-point arc.  Marc Gasol had a nice game with 20 points and Mayo netted 17 on 8-18 shooting.  Gay scored 12, Zach Randolph 11 (with 12 boards).  That's not going to get it done for the Grizz.  Credit Portland with knowing where to put pressure on and who to involve defensively (basically the same:  Randolph and Gay).

Individual Notes

Brandon Roy helped carry the team in the first half but stepped back in the second half to share the wealth.  His rhythm was good both in terms of individual offense and game flow.  6-11 shooting, 20 points, 7 assists.

What happens when you don't guard LaMarcus Aldridge?  You get Excedrin Headache #19.  19 would be the combination of 16 points and 3 assists.  Had he been selfish LMA probably could have scored 38 tonight.  And get this...he added 12 defensive rebounds.  He killed the Grizz on the boards, especially during his ultra-active second half.  He found a way to control the game besides just putting the ball in the basket.  Add in 2 blocks and you have one of the best all-around games LaMarcus has played in a long time.

Greg Oden beasted up tonight.  He looked disappointed to draw 2 fouls in 4 minutes in the first quarter.  Nate saved him for the second half entirely.  The guy just went out and played.  He was a whirlwind on both ends.  One he started spinning the Grizzlies couldn't stand against him.  He finally started dunking tonight...a considerable relief to those of us who grimace every time he tries to finish with a soft chip shot around the rim (which has been often this season).  14 points, 6 rebounds (3 of each flavor), 6-10 shooting, 2 blocks, a ton of energy, and a semi-subtle game-changing presence.  Nice.

Steve Blake scored 14 by doing what he does best:  providing the outlet three.  He was 4-6 from range, 5-9 overall.

Andre Miller equaled Roy's 7 assists and got the mojo moving in the second half.  He was 3-9 from the field.

Rudy Fernandez had a really nice fourth quarter, most of the results of which don't show up in his 7 point, 2 rebound, 1 steal stat line.  He actually defended and fought out there like he wanted playing time.  If you'll pardon the expression, Rudy was the Blazers' edge last season.  So far this year you could all but feel the edge get sucked out of the gym when he stepped on the floor.  He showed some life last game and showed more this.  Whether someone fed him a different breakfast, shocked him with paddles, or changed his brand of shaving cream they need to do more of it.  We need that energy for a whole game.

This wasn't Joel Przybilla's kind of opponent and he only got 18 minutes of play before fouling out.  He had 4 rebounds.

Martell Webster hit 1 three in 6 overall field goal attempts but went 6-6 from the foul line.  He played Raggedy Andy to Travis Outlaw's Raggedy Ann.  Other than one outstanding highlight dunk Travis went COMPLETELY spastic out there offensively.  Some of the shots he attempted shouldn't be tried in H-O-R-S-E without adult supervision.  He was 1-9 on the night.  Whatever defense he provided got obliterated by him spoon-feeding possessions to the Grizzlies with that shooting. Webster got 16 minutes, Outlaw 22.  Both have seen better days.

Jerryd Bayless got 4 minutes of run in which he collected a foul, an offensive rebound, and a turnover.  After the early first quarter the Grizzlies did a pretty good job of defending themselves so he wasn't such a bright spot tonight.

Final Thoughts and Links

Getting this game was nice but the success won't be fully realized unless you also pick up tomorrow's game in Minnesota.  With a 2-0 start you're looking at a pretty high chance of a good trip with possibilities of great.

Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet was injured in this game.  Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Boxscore

Read the Memphis reaction at StraightOuttaVancouver.com and ThreeShadesofBlue.

You can check out the Jersey Contest scoreboard over yonder.  You can see the results of any individual game, including this one, by pulling it down from the menu beneath the scoreboard.  Please note that due to the incorrect roster listing on tonight's form, everyone got credit for the "turnover" question no matter who they put.  The problem has been fixed.

Enter tomorrow's Jersey Contest form right here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com) 

How was it for you?  Reflect on tonight's proceedings here whilst awaiting the official recap.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

Discuss the second half right here!  How you liking Zach?  Mayo?  Conley?  The Blazers?

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

Because the game is right at quitting time tonight (and thus many people will be driving home instead of posting) we're combining the pre-game and first half threads.   Enjoy talking with each other about the matchups, the possibilities, and of course the game itself.  Please keep it respectable and on-topic.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

More photos » by Don Ryan - AP

For my next trick I will levitate this ball from your grasp. Then Miller's gonna fast break it.

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 Game Time:  5:00 p.m. Pacific  TV:  Comcast

Yeah, Memphis is in trouble.

They're not in trouble because they've (at least temporarily) lost Allen Iverson.  He was never a good fit with their roster and his being absent will probably end up a blessing to them as much as anything.  At least it'll be clear that the hope of this team is still its young wings and not an old wingnut.  They're not in trouble because they lack talent. Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley...there are worse lineups in the NBA.  They're in trouble because it's the same old story with the Grizzlies:  somebody scores 25 or 30 or 40 each night, they amass a lot of stats, and they lose because they can't stop anybody from scoring 115 on them.  They're a video game more than a team.

Case in point:  Rudy Gay.  Leading scorer.  Good size at 6'8" and 230.  One of the best pure athletes in the league.  He's legitimately terrifying on the break. Quick as a hummingbird blinking.  Soars like a hawk.  And plays such chicken [stuff] defense that his own teammates (not exactly the Steel Curtain themselves) are calling him out.  His 51% shooting, 22 a night...they're no good.  Or not as much good as they should be.  He leaves the team playing 4-on-5 on the other end and there goes 50.5% shooting for the entire opposing team.

Case in point:  O.J. Mayo.  He's a good ball-handler.  He sees the court.  He's got talent coming out his ears and could be one of the dominant point guards in the league.  But he loves to shoot.  He's more comfortable at off-guard.  Except at 6'4" and 210 pounds your once-dominant point guard gets pushed around at the two.  He dropped 40 on the Nuggets last week.  Brilliant.  But he took 25 shots to do it.  He took 20 shots to get 22 the next night.  When he doesn't dominate the scoring his numbers get more pedestrian.  Gay, who also likes to score, is apparently not Mayo's biggest fan.

Case in point:  Zach Randolph.  I probably don't have to explain this one in present company.

These are good players, as are Conley and Gasol.  They're just not good together.  Memphis has taken the kind of player you could stand having one of on your team and collected multiple copies.  Each has talent.  Each has huge shortcomings.  The shortcomings are getting exposed more than the talent is shining.

What do the Grizzlies like to do?  They like to score.  They'll run if they can.  They're a good offensive rebounding team.  You're not afraid to have any of the main guys shoot.  Their big guys have range.  Their small guys have more range.  They'll sucker you in with it and then drive and create free throws.  They'll post and spin any direction.  They'll dunk.  They'll dipsy-doodle.  If it deals with putting the ball in the bucket they're good at it.  They have a puncher's chance in any given contest.  There's always the possibility that they'll simply outscore you.

The Grizz are also good rebounders up and down the line, getting their hands on a ton of balls off the glass.  Marc Gasol has become a beast in this area.

What don't the Grizzlies like to do?  Almost anything else.  They aren't good individual defenders.  They don't help out or rotate well.  They don't bother the passing lanes.  They don't block shots.  They can't watch the post.  They can't cover distance shooters.  They often get caught flat-footed and staring.  Plus they don't pass the ball well and they turn it over a bunch.  A good rebounding team with that kind of athleticism should be generating more shot attempts than their opponents but the Grizz average three fewer.  Combined with a woeful field goal percentage deficit (47.4% to 50.5%) they're hamstrung before they start.  It's even worse from the arc.  Memphis attempts 10.6 threes a game and shoots 36.5% on them.  Their opponents have combined for 18.6 three-point attempts per game and they average 44.6%.  Most of the best shooters in the league don't hit 44.6% of their threes but entire teams are doing it against the Grizz.  With those disadvantages weighing them down their extra foul shots don't matter.

It's understandable why Memphis tows a 1-6 record behind them into this game.  The one mitigating factor is that they've been on a five-game road trip for the last 9 days.  They're actually 1-1 at home, the lone victory coming against the Raptors.  They'll want to rebound tonight.  They'll have some fans behind them.  They probably also have some pride.  They'll want this to be a game that changes the course of their early season.  It's up to Portland not to let it become that.

Pivotal Points to the Game

1.  You can let Memphis score 100, you just can't let them score 130.  And trust me, they can.  You're not going to stop all of their individual scorers.  You want to contain the damage to one or two guys and generally make them pay for trying to get more people involved.  Play Conley for the pass, play everyone else for the shot.  Somebody scores 30, somebody scores 20, you win.

2.  The Blazer centers versus Gasol should be a pivotal matchup.  Oden has to be wary of foul trouble when the Grizz attack the rim.  He doesn't need to score on Gasol as much as police the boards and keep offensive rebounds from the entire Memphis team.  Przybilla needs to continue the rebounding when he gets in.

3.  Get back in transition.

4.  Exploit turnovers.

5.  Learn your lesson from the ‘Wolves game Sunday night.  Share the ball and find the easy shot on each possession.  Run when you can.  If not, penetrate and either finish, get fouled, or dish for the open three.  Every basket that's not right at the rim should have an assist attached tonight just like Sunday.  No one-on-on fests.  No jumpers off of a held ball.  Just please...make it as easy as the Grizzlies will let you.

6.  If LaMarcus scores as much as Zach this game will be easier.

Final Thoughts

Extended road trips are always difficult.  The trick is to win the games you should so that the tougher games make the difference between a good and great trip, not an average or disappointing one.  This is actually something the Blazers have done well during this era.  Let's hope it continues.

Check out the Grizzlies point of view at StraightOuttaVancouver.com and at 3ShadesofBlue.com.

Enter the Jersey Contest form here.  (Yes, we're getting the roster revamped.)

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

More photos » by Don Ryan - AP

Yeah, this is going to be two. And keep your hands off of my threads.

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I didn't get to watch the game until late.  Apologies for the tardiness of the game recap.

Smashing good show for Portland tonight, with emphasis on the smash.  But that's exactly what the Blazers needed to do to Minnesota.  The ‘Wolves weren't fielding a complete team and they don't have the talent or continuity at this point to hang with Portland unless Portland allows them to do so.  This is exactly the type of game Portland needs to get used to taking every time if they want to bolster that record.  Job well done.

In the earliest moments of the game it looked like the Blazers might make this one harder than it needed to be.  Portland's first 6 offensive possessions consistent of an Aldridge 20-foot miss, a reverse dipsy-doodle by Oden from underneath the backboard which also missed, a Roy missed three, a 20-footer from Blake which connected, two Miller free throws, and a 22-foot miss from Aldridge.  That's a lot of jump shooting against a team that doesn't move its feet quickly.  Meanwhile the Blazers were letting the ‘Wolves pass the ball on the other end of the court, a huge mistake since they basically can't do it.  I had the antacid ready.  But then the light bulb switched on.  The Blazers tightened the screws and started to run out.  The next buckets were an assisted jumper, an assisted dunk, another assisted jumper, an assisted layup, an assisted four-footer and the foul, an assisted jumper, and a layup.  In fact the Blazers wouldn't convert for the entire rest of the quarter unless it was off a pass or was right at the cup (and they converted a bunch).  Whappity-whappity-whap, Portland leads 33-24 at the end of the period.

The offense stalled a wee bit at the start of the second but picked up speed again as the quarter progressed.  Again the Blazers feasted on chip shots and passes off of penetration.  It was like a shooting gallery.  Meanwhile the ‘Wolves were either hoisting jumpers or turning it over.  They would make only one field goal in the period from closer than 17 feet.  Portland's scheme was direct and efficient.  Anybody who penetrated, which was basically just the point guard off of the dribble, was met by at least two guys.  Closed off from the interior Minnesota simply bailed and then shot.  The Blazers also limited their offensive rebounds.  Without quality shots or second attempts the Timberwolves just couldn't keep up.  62-45 Blazers at the half.

The third period is often the place where trailing teams make a run as the lead team gets complacent.  But with Minnesota representing defense like Arby's represents roast beef that wasn't going to happen tonight.  Unfortunately for the ‘Wolves the Blazers have experienced a fair amount of offensive frustration this year.  Everybody who came in the game wanted to score, period.  It was like guys crawling through the desert finally finding their oasis.  Greg Oden and Andre Miller destroyed the ‘Wolves early in the period and everybody else canned shots in their wake.  Neither Flynn nor Al Jefferson scored a single point in the period.  Everybody else in blue combined couldn't hope to make up the difference.  92-67 after three.

The fourth period was mostly second-third-fourth unit fun time.  Nate unleashed the hounds and they feasted.  Even in garbage time the Blazers only gave up 2 points of their margin, finishing the game ahead by 23.

So why did this work?  The Blazers recognized the opponent's weaknesses and exploited them.  Only one guy on the Timberwolves side could penetrate with any reliability, that being Flynn.  Shut down his dribble and they have a choice between moving the ball for nothing or hoisting a highly-contested shot off of the drive.   The Blazer three-guard lineup didn't hurt them a bit against Minnesota's forwards because none of those forwards could create for themselves off of the dribble and none of the ones the guards matched up with could post well.  Knowing exactly where the ball was going and exactly what would happen with it in each case the Blazers could exploit their quickness advantage mercilessly.  Those forwards aren't any quicker on the defensive end than the offensive end either.  Run the floor and you probably beat them to the rim or at least your spot.  Swing the ball twice and they can't catch up.  Not being great individual defenders they had to commit to doubling key Blazers.  Recovering was all but impossible.  It was a dream for both cutters and catch-and-shoot guys.  Portland shot 50%, edging the ‘Wolves by over 5 percentage points.  They killed them in fast break points, stayed mostly even in offensive rebounds and second-chance points, and hit 15 more foul shots.  Portland generated 12 steals and turned the ball over only 13 times themselves...that would cover all permutations of turnovers.  The most glaring advantage of all--not always indicative but in this case completely so--was Portland's 35 assists on 41 made buckets.  That's a smidge over 85% of Blazer made field goals following assists tonight.  They won't get that ratio every night because the defense won't let them move like that but even knowing the potential is there is a good thing for this team right now.  Production and stellar individual efforts don't necessarily go hand-in-hand.  It's easier to have a great night with a bunch of teammates than it is to do it alone.

Individual Observations

Brandon Roy shot 1-6 tonight for 2 points total, to which I say...standing ovation.  For one thing he also added 7 assists and 6 rebounds so it's not like he was shying away from the ball or his other responsibilities.  This wasn't a J.R. Rider pouty special.  For another, the ‘Wolves planned to shut him down with Ryan Gomes and whatever help they could throw. They only managed to light everyone else up by doing so.  This team needed to be lit.  Brandon did his job by not trying to take over and make it all about him.  5 other Blazers scored in double figures.  Every other Blazer who played got at least 4 shots.  Show me the downside.  In my mind this was a perfectly acceptable outing, hitting them where they ain't.  Had the Blazers lost by 6 with everyone else bricking all over the place that story would change but we knew by the mid-point of the first quarter that was not going to be the case.

Beneficiary #1 of Roy's egoless night was Andre Miller.  He got to push the ball, zing passes, and he put up a game high 14 shots.  The latter part of that wasn't the most intrinsic aspect of his game though.  In fact I was surprised to see he had taken that many.  When you're shooting wide-open jumpers that have to be taken and layups that get the crowd on its feet there's no such thing as too many shots.  He hit 9 of those shots for 21 points.  Also notice something with Miller when he's going well.  Even though he handles the ball and initiates the offense the ball doesn't stay in his hands for a long time.  He's setting without slowing.  Some of that was the defense tonight, to be sure.  Some of it was his teammates understanding that motion against this team was the key to offensive success and easy looks.  But Andre at his purest has that point guard knack of not over-dribbling whereas the other ball-handlers on this team tend to dribble too much when they try to set something up.

Beneficiary #2 of the egalitarian offensive approach was LaMarcus Aldridge.  At first his 5-11 shooting clip looks pedestrian.  But when you throw in his 9-9 free throw rate you understand that he was able to move, receive passes, and convert through an attack that went well beyond his catch/hold/turn-around post game.  It was exciting watching him work in motion instead of from a set position.  It was exciting (as always) watching him run the floor.  His fluidity also provided him 5 offensive rebounds.  He finished with 10 total boards, 3 assists, and 19 points.

Greg Oden made some nice moves on the smaller Minnesota defenders, held onto the ball (0 turnovers!), and finished with authority on most of his attempts.  I think he's starting to figure out that if he makes his moves under control and with correct body and foot position nobody is going to block his shot.  He was 4-8 with 11 points, was the recipient of a couple nice passes, and made a couple wonderful passes from the post as well.  He's really got a nice eye for the court and you can see where he'll eventually become devastating when people try to double team him.

Steve Blake was set up nicely for this game and he took advantage of it.  He served as an outlet for some of those passes off of pressure on his teammates.  He served as a conduit to open shooters.  When he had to defend the point guard he had plenty of help.  Nobody else could drive past him as he was quicker.  (These both applied to Miller as well.)  As long as he stayed active there wasn't much that could go wrong, and it didn't.  He had 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 points blending perfectly with his teammates.  I liked this Steve Blake game as well as any I've seen this season.

Travis Outlaw played the Aldridge role to perfection tonight, initiating his offense farther out but basically buying into the moving, jabbing, and hitting Minnesota's weak points rather than pounding the ball.  He was 5-9 from the field and 6-6 from the line for 19 points in 19 minutes.  He didn't rebound fantastically but he didn't need to.

Part of the reason Travis didn't need to rebound that much was Joel Przybilla swallowing up 13 of them on his own.  Przy often has good games against the ‘Wolves.  The open offense really helped him look better near the rim as well.  He could catch the ball without so much traffic around him, gather a little, and convert.

Jerryd Bayless got some more run and looked more comfortable than he did last game.  The pace, motion, and spread floor played to his strengths.  He had open jumpers he could take his time hitting.  He saw defenseless lanes and drove deep, drawing fouls.  With more time and space to make decisions he found teammates and gathered 4 assists without a single turnover to go along with his 12 points.  The defensive end wasn't as big of a success for him tonight, as he drew 5 fouls.  It was a nice game though.  A comfortable, motivated Bayless isn't a bad thing for this club.

Rudy Fernandez had an interesting night overall.  In some ways he was quite active.  He got 4 steals and 6 assists and seemed eager to run with the greyhounds.   He finished 2 of 6 for 5 points, not looking particularly comfortable with his shot but also realizing that this was a good night to shoot it anyway as most of the attempts were open.

Dante Cunningham got 6 minutes tonight.  He is well-built compared to a lot of NBA forwards, you have to give him that.  He also converted 3 of 4 shots...jumpers even.  6 points in 6 minutes.  Let the call for him to get 48 commence.

Final Thoughts and Links

Yes, this was a win against a struggling opponent with a raft of mismatches.  But we've come up against mismatches before and failed to exploit them.  We've wanted to run before and failed to do so.  We've needed to move the ball before and not had the trust and commitment necessary to make that happen.  The team needed the kind of shot in the arm this game provided.  It's not much good in and of itself.  Most games aren't going to be this easy...even against Minnesota again on Wednesday probably.  But with the pattern set and some beatable teams on the horizon on this road trip, maybe the Blazers can capture the momentum and start making a few more games easier.  Lord knows it's a pain watching them struggle for wins.

Boxscore

Check out what the Minnesota fans think at CanisHoopus

You can see your Jersey Contest scores right here and enter Tuesday's contest form here .  Don't forget that to see the results of an individual game all you have to do is scroll to the bottom of the scoreboard page and pick that game from the pull-down menu.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

Ruminate over the results from tonight's contest here.  A recap and the Media Row Report will be along soon.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

Here's your thread for the second half!

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)