Portland, Ore. – This is extremely simple, but I have three words to sum up this game.
I should’ve known.
I really should’ve known that the Blazers were going to show out for their home crowd. I missed all the obvious signs. It was a damp and rainy Saturday in Portland, but you couldn’t tell by last night’s attendance. Even with weather that makes you want to stay home, the Moda Center was PACKED with energetic Trailblazers fans.
Damian Lillard and I spoke before the game, and his attitude should have been a dead giveaway. He was in a great mood, somewhat light-hearted, and even had a little bop in his step. It was almost like he knew something that I didn’t…and he was right.
First Half
With an almost full Moda Center behind them, the Blazers jumped off to a quick start. Norman Powell and CJ McCollum were money from mid-range and behind the 3 point line. Lillard followed suit with crafty buckets, playing at his own pace like he usually does. By the end of the first half, all three Blazers had scored in the double digits. Norman, CJ, and Dame led the charge while Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic had a quieter night.
Surprisingly, the Suns didn’t have any answers for Portland. Just the night before, Phoenix dominated the Lakers in a blowout game that only became close in the end. I figured this would give the Suns the advantage. Chris Paul and Devin Booker got a significant amount of rest against the Lakers. That’s a good thing, right? Wrong. The rest didn’t seem to help, Booker was the only Suns player with more than 10 points at the half. Score 67 – 47.
Second Half
Did much change after halftime? Nope. Portland kept the momentum going, with even more players adding ingredients to the winning recipe. Anfernee Simons shot with confidence and poured in buckets. Nassir Little got fans on their feet with a few fastbreak dunks and athletic post moves. Dennis Smith Jr. threw an easy lob to CJ Elleby in transition. Ben McLemore and Larry Nance Jr. easily finished off the sluggish Suns while the Portland starters watched happily from the bench.
With 9:44 left in the game, the score was 116 – 83, and Portland fans were already heading for the exits. CJ McCollum put up 28 points making him the lead scorer for Chauncey Billups’ first win as head coach. Blazers get the W, 134 – 105.