The Portland Trail Blazers fell 104-101 at the Houston Rockets on Thursday night in a game that saw them fight to the end, despite losing another player through injury.
Already defeated by four major players, the Blazers lost striker Derrick Jones Jr. during the Thursday night game in Houston due to a sprained left foot.
Could he have helped the team in the stretch of a game played? It is difficult to say for sure. But since Anfernee Simons’ three-pointer attempt at the bell failed to come close to leveling the game, it was to be imagined how the Blazers managed to stay in the game due to all injuries.
At the very least, the Blazers (9-8) deserve credit for finding a way to almost take victory.
“I thought it was a good effort by everyone,” said Portland coach Terry Stotts. “It was a great start. It was a great ending. We fall short. We had our chances in the fourth period. He made a good recovery and really competed … I was satisfied with the way we played. “
Damian Lillard said the Blazers’ effort is what he wants to see from his team every night.
“I was proud of our fight,” said Lillard.
Portland led 30-10 in a warm first quarter, but failed to maintain that level of play.
“When you don’t do that and you’re playing against NBA teams, especially a team like Houston with guys who have skills, you put yourself in a dog fight on the road, and you put yourself in a position where you get a chance losing the game, ”said Lillard. “And that’s what happened.”
As for Jones, Stotts said his X-rays were “clear”.
But if he can’t play on Saturday in Chicago, and striker Robert Covington (concussion) doesn’t return, the Blazers will be defeated four times on the scoreboard, counting point guard CJ McCollum (broken foot) and center pivot Jusuf Nurkic (broken wrist).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
Portland lost the first game of their six-game trip, but under the circumstances they played very well. Still, when the game ended, Portland dropped from fifth place in the Western Conference to eighth. After Phoenix (9-8) won 114-93 over Golden State (10-9) on Thursday night, the Blazers drew with Suns in seventh place.
It’s over when …
Portland had several chances to steal this game at the end of Houston (8-9). The Blazers were down by just 99-98 with 1:28 left, when Lillard scored a two-pointer. That led to center Enes Kanter blocking a shot from Houston’s guard John Wall on the way to the basket.
But, on the other end, Lillard missed a deep three fadeaway right away.
Then, with 26.2 seconds to go, Rockets’ guard Victor Oladipo scored in a rush to give Houston a 101-98 lead.
Houston Rockets striker Jae’Sean Tate (8) and point guard Victor Oladipo (7) attempt to block a shot from Portland Trail Blazers point guard Gary Trent Jr. (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday January 28, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina / Photo of the pool via AP) APAP
In the next possession of the Blazers, the guard Gary Trent Jr. went to the basket, but failed to convert.
“It was an easy tray,” said Trent. “I smoked. I should have known … We had a plan to topple ourselves. I will do it next time. “
This led to an intentional foul by Christian Wood, who made one of two free throws to score 102-98 Rockets with 17.4 seconds remaining.
The Blazers went back to Lillard, but Houston’s defense was all about him. He ended up taking the ball to Simons, and he threw a three that was good with 3.1 seconds remaining.
But the Blazers were still behind 102-101. Portland missed point guard Eric Gordon, who hit both free throws with 2.1 seconds left, leading to Simons’ final failure.
“They were in a small lineup,” said Stotts of the final move. “We knew they would make a lot of exchanges, so we tried to get enough movement for someone to open it.”
That someone was Simons, but the shot failed.
Portland led 30-10 in the first quarter and entered the second quarter with 32-17 thanks mainly to Lillard scoring 13 in the first.
So Houston got serious and dominated the second quarter 36-18. Rockets scored 15 points in the transition in the quarter.
“The transitional offense was the biggest difference in the second quarter,” said Stotts.
The Rockets built a double-digit lead in the second half, but the Blazers came back in the fourth period thanks in large part to several Trent three-point brands.
“We try to fight the best we can,” said Trent. “I had a few opportunities, but it didn’t work.”
PRESENTED AND SHOWN
Lillard led the scorers with 30 points. He hit 11 out of 23 shots, including 5 out of 11 trios. He also had nine assists.
Portland Trail Blazers owner Damian Lillard (0) drives against Houston Rockets striker PJ Tucker (17) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Thursday, January 28, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina / Photo of the pool via AP) APAP
Trent made 7 of 13 trios to finish with 23 points. He got 8 out of 16 overall.
“His three-point kick brought us back to the game,” said Stotts.
Simons had another strong game, making 4 of 9 trios in 28 minutes off the bench. Overall, he hit 5 out of 13 field shots for 14 points and had eight rebounds.
“I think that, from an offensive point of view, he certainly feels free to shoot and command the attack,” said Stotts. “With CJ gone, he knows there is more responsibility, and he accepted that responsibility.
Simons scored 26 against Oklahoma City on Monday and made 16 in the previous game against the New York Knicks.
Kanter played well inside, scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds.
For Houston, Wood had 22 points and 12 rebounds. When he was in the game, it was clear that no one in the Portland squad could handle him.
Oladipo made 11 of 23, but made only 2 of 10 trios. He finished with 25 points, five assists and seven rebounds.
SHOWN AND FIZZLED
Portland striker Carmelo Anthony scored just six points from 3 of 14 shots. But he had nine rebounds and two steals.
Pivot Harry Giles landed only 1 of 4 shots for four points, and point guard / striker Rodney Hood landed only 1 of 5 shots for two points.
Gordon from Houston left the bench for Houston and made just 2 of 11 shots for eight points and had four turns.
NEXT (Blazers Schedule)
The Blazers’ six-game trip continues with a game at 5 pm on Saturday in Chicago (7-10). The Bulls defeated the Blazers 111 to 108 on January 5 at Moda Center.
Blazers play two consecutive games Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, the Blazers play in Milwaukee (11-6). On Tuesday, they play for Washington (3-11).
– Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress(Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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