Thoughts on Golden State 105, Portland 98

I'm almost too pissed off to type up a recap of this game, but maybe it'll be cathartic so that I can go to sleep. Portland always has trouble against GS in Oakland and tonight was no exception. However, the refs called a terrible game and somehow fell for all of GS' flopping. Even the GS announcers were commenting on the calls. Portland also threw the ball away 18 times in the first half yet had a pretty decent chance to win it at the end because GS doesn't know how to close out anyone. GS also went to the free throw line 43 times against Portland's 17 trips and made 39. For some reason, Portland's opponents always shoot better than their average for free throws. Crazy.

Individual notes:

• Brandon Roy got it done with 37 points on 14 for 21 shooting. He got very few fouls called for him even though he got hit quite a bit. He'll be in the All-Star game, but I hope he doesn't play much because he needs the rest.
• Sergio Rodriguez had a terrible first half, but a pretty good fourth quarter and ended up with 10 points, 7 assists and 4 boards. His defense was just ok, but that's good for him. He had some good drives, but too many head-scratchers.
• Greg Oden was limited due to foul trouble thanks to flopping, but still got 8 points and 11 boards in only 18 minutes.
• LaMarcus Aldridge shot well and got 20 points. Unfortunately, he fouled out in the fourth quarter and once again failed to take advantage of his height over Maggette.
• Nicolas Batum was a non-factor with 4 boards in 14 minutes. He looked overmatched from the beginning so it was good he didn't play much.
• Travis Outlaw got 12 rebounds, but missed 11 shots in a row. He has no game around the hoop unless he's dunking it which is a shame for a 6'9" dude with crazy hops. He is an enigma wrapped in a riddle and you never know if he's going to save you or sink you.
• Rudy Fernandez shot poorly in the first half, but rallied with some crucial 3's in the fourth to end up with 9 points and 5 assists. He also got fouled a lot, but got no calls.
• Joel Przybilla did his usual lunch-pail work with 6 boards and tough defense in 19 minutes. I wish he had more of an offensive game though to keep the other team's defense honest. He sets good picks, but can't roll because he'll fumble the ball out of bounds.
• Jerryd Bayless didn't have it tonight and didn't play much. He's still learning and needs to work on his outside shoot. It's pretty flat.
• Channing Frye got 2 minutes of burn thanks to foul trouble for Oden and Przy. He's most likely a throw-in on a trade and won't be back with Portland when his contract is up if he's not traded.

This game was one that got the blood boiling because Portland came out flat. It would be nice to see them play with energy. I think Nate should mix up the starting line-up to find something that doesn't get Portland into a deep hole.