Blazers take another small step forward
“A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.”
- Lao Tzu
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Portland 122, Chicago 98: Everything falls into place for Blazers
For a night, at least, order was restored within the Trail Blazers. Brandon Roy was back at shooting guard and controlling the pace and precision of the offense. Andre Miller, steadfastly saying he is accepting the reins of the second unit, played perhaps as hard and determined as he has all season. And the inside combination of Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge was dominant like never before.
The Blazers didn’t just beat Chicago on Monday, they overpowered them — dunking over, cutting through and stepping all over the Bulls during a 122-98 victory in front of 20,383 at the Rose Garden, its 79th consecutive sellout.
“A number of things are just starting to come together,” said Roy, who had 18 points and seven assists despite sitting the final eight minutes. “I think guys are back in their natural positions and we sensed that we have to get this going, too.”
Oden tied his career high with 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds, and Aldridge recorded his fifth double double of the season, finishing with 24 points and 13 rebounds. While the Blazers’ big men helped create a 50-32 advantage in points in the paint, the perimeter duo of Roy and Miller (16 points, five assists) not only flourished in separate units, they also thrived when they played together.
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Building a championship calibre organization in the NBA is about making small steps forward each and every day … not swinging for the fences.
In Portland … it’s only a matter of time.
Related:
Diamond in the rough finally begins to glisten
Tags: Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Dante Cunningham, Greg Oden, Jeff Pendergraph, Jerryd Bayless, Joel Przybilla, Juwan Howard, Kevin Pritchard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Nate McMillan, Nicolas Batum, Patrick Mills, Paul Allen, Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw