Blazers vs Clippers: Five Things We Saw

Monday, October 13, 2014

Andrew R Tonry

Playing host Sunday evening the Blazers got their first win of the preseason, edging the Clippers 119-114.

Five things we saw:

1. Don't get too high. Just like Portland's two previous losses to the Jazz, Sunday's victory over the Clippers is hardly an indicator of how the team will perform once the season begins. On both squads, motivations and rotations are all out of whack. To wit: The Clippers--expected to contend in the West--are still winless. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, just levelheaded. Now, with that out of the way, let's get on to the good stuff, 'cause there was plenty.

2. The Blazers shot the freaking lights out. Portland made a whopping 17 of their 25 attempts (68%) from behind the three point arc. Los Angeles, meanwhile, poured in 19 more from downtown, though they took 39 tries to do it. Taken together, Sunday's 36 made three's easily top the NBA's record of 31, though that game was played in the regular season.

3. Portland showed a little grit. The Clippers--thanks to a whopping 40 point fourth quarter--cut a 14 point quarter deficit to just two down the stretch, but the Blazers' second unit hung on.

4. CJ McCollum had his best night as a Blazer. The second year guard seems to be gaining the confidence of coach Terry Stotts, who rewarded McCollum with the starting nod Sunday, as Damian Lillard sat out a second game with a sprained ankle. Given the opportunity, McCollumn answered with gusto. He finished with 19 points, six assists, and nailed five-of-eight attempts from downtown. It was, by far, the combo guard's best night in an NBA uniform.

5. Blazers owner Paul Allen was in the house. So was new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. They weren't sitting together. But one has to wonder what their relationship is like (Allen started Microsoft with Bill Gates, Ballmer ran it for years). My guess: if either were regular dudes--not eccentric billionaires--they would've enjoyed the game together. Clearly they are not. (And, for the record, "eccentric" is putting it kindly.)

Photo credit: Another Believer, cc