Thoughts on Portland 88, Charlotte 74

Charlotte beat the L@kers in LA last night in double overtime, but lost their best player, Gerald Wallace, to a broken rib and a punctured lung courtesy of Bynum's lazy defense. I figured they would be tired and outmanned and it looked that way in the first quarter, but they battled all game to keep it close. It didn't help that Portland turned the ball over 17 times though some were on questionable traveling/carry/offensive fouls. The refs called a really strange game in the third quarter.

Portland was active on defense and on the glass and pounded it inside early which is the thing to do against Charlotte. They started Adam Morrison in Wallace's SF spot and he plays no defense and you don't even really need to guard him anymore. He was a great college player, but hasn't done squat in the NBA.

This game was one that Portland should win at home and they did. Sweet.

Individual observations:

• Brandon Roy had a fairly quiet night until the fourth quarter, but ended up with 17 points. He barks too much at the refs.
• Sergio Rodriguez got the start again and had 7 assists, but no points. He also had 5 turnovers though a couple were just bad calls. He had trouble guarding Felton, but did alright. His play this month has earned some burn when Blake comes back.
• Greg Oden had 14 points, 14 boards, 3 blocked shots and a lot of shots that he altered. He looked active and aggressive. He didn't get any stupid fouls so was able to play 30 minutes. He's really come along this month and is playing like people expected when he was drafted. He looks like he's having more fun on the court as well.
• LaMarcus Aldridge had a great game with 25 points and 9 rebounds. He was aggressive as well and played solid defense. Most of his shots were close range which is to his benefit.
• Nicolas Batum played 16 minutes and got 5 points and 6 boards. He needs to get his stroke back and drive to the hoop more. He did provide energy and defense and that's pretty much all that is asked of him.
• Rudy Fernandez had a tough night shooting. When his three pointer isn't falling, I'd like to see him go to the hoop more or run around a la Rip Hamilton. Like Rip, he might benefit from a bit more upper body strength.
• Travis Outlaw scored 9 points and grabbed 5 boards, but didn't do too much. He still takes a lot of crazy shots, but they weren't falling tonight.
• Jerryd Bayless scored 11 points, but had too many fruitless drives to the hoop. Teams are also learning to press him since his handle isn't that great. Once he learns to set up his teammates on the way to the hoop, he'll be more effective. His defense is solid so you can leave him out there in the fourth quarter.
• Joel Przybilla had a quiet night because Oden wasn't in foul trouble. I'd like to see the Blazers run a play or two for Przy just to keep the other team honest. I think he can offer more than just defense and rebounding, but maybe not with that broken left wrist.
• Channing Frye and Shavlik Randolph got garbage time minutes and did nothing.

A good win for the Blazers since they were supposed to win. They never knocked Charlotte out, but they were active and aggressive.