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Boston Withstands Another Late Portland Rally

01/28/11

  1. Written by: ShalamarClark  / avg. rating: 4.5

    It was almost like deja vu all over again.

    The Portland Trail Blazers pushed another fourth-quarter rally against the Boston Celtics, like the 15-0 one on Dec. 1, and came up short for the second time in Thursday’s 88-78 loss at the Rose Garden. 

    “That’s a great team,” said Trail Blazer Head Coach Nate McMillan of the Celtics. “Their execution was really good. When you have that many options, playing that way and knowing how to win, it’s going to be a tough game.”

    Boston’s Ray Allen led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and knocked down 3-of-6 from downtown as the Celtics made 46.9 percent from the floor to sweep the Trail Blazers, 2-0, for the second consecutive season.

    LaMarcus Aldridge scored a team-high 17 points and hauled in 16 rebounds on 44 minutes as Portland went 36.7 percent from the field.    

    The Trail Blazers (25-22) trailed the Celtics (35-10) in the fourth by as many as 15 with 7:48 remaining in the game before climbing back from three-range to complete a 17-9 run. 

    Wesley Matthews, who had 12 points and seven rebounds, hit two back-to-back threes and Rudy Fernandez cashed in, hitting Portland’s third consecutive three to pull within 82-77 with 48.9 seconds left. Boston would ice the game with six free throws.

    Fernandez finished with 11 points, two 3-pointers and five assists off the bench. 

    “It was better late than never,” said Matthews of his late threes. “You got to keep shooting it and you have to keep playing.”

    Andre Miller had 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Portland, while Dante Cunningham had nine points and five rebounds.

    Paul Pierce scored 17 points, two threes and four assists. Rajon Rondo recorded 11 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins each had 10 points and nine rebounds.   

    Portland went into the final period behind 64-58 before making just three of their first 13 shots in the last quarter as Boston’s defense started to clinch down.  

    “I thought their pressure at times sped us up,” said McMillan. “As opposed to being poised and calm in those situations, when you’re playing in an emotional game and a very good team like this, I thought we were going a little to fast at times.” 

    “We were in the game this whole time, but it felt like we were down by 40,” said Matthews. 

    Both teams struggled to find points early in the third. Aldridge found his rhythm inside for six points to boost their points in the paint 48-34. 

    “We went with pick and rolls and we did post ups, but they were on everything tonight,” said Aldridge. “I think their defense, it force you to take jump shots and we did that tonight.”

    Allen also found his groove from long range in the third, sinking two in the period for eight points and padding Boston’s six-point lead.  

    Portland forced Boston to a high of 21 turnovers and converted 22 points while also winning the battle on the boards 49-42 with a 19-8 offensive advantage.

    “We have to limit your mistakes against this group,” said McMillan of the Celtics. “You have to win the hustle game and play with energy and scrappiness. But at the same time, be calm because of the emotions.”

    It must have been an emotional swing for Cunningham, who turned up the tempo for six straight points to open the second quarter to put the Trail Blazers on top 24-23. Pierce fought back with eight in the period to go into the break with 14 and a 41-37 lead. 

    Aldridge led the Trail Blazers at the half with nine points and 11 rebounds, while Cunningham had eight points. Portland went missing from the free-throw line in the first half, only taking two attempts while Boston converted 11-of-15 in the half and 23-of-33 in the game. The Trail Blazers finished at the stripe 8-of-13.

    Portland faced another injury scare, this time to Nicolas Batum, who had two points and four rebounds. Batum left the game before the break with a sore left knee and did not return. 

    “It’s amazing to see a team go through things like this,” said McMillan of the plaguing injuries after going speechless for a moment. “Another guy with another knee [injury]. Hopefully nothing comes of that MRI tomorrow.” 

    The Trail Blazers have now dropped two straight, but can cap off their five-game homestand against San Antonio on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM.

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