Portland Sets A Blaze In San Antonio

Mar 8, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) posts up against San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw (33) during the first half at the AT

The Portland Trail Blazers came into the AT&T Center and set the house on fire.  They were led by rookie Damian Lillard who set a career high with 35 points in almost 40 minutes of playing time.  The team shot 61% from the floor and seemed to hit everything that they put up.  Though Lillard was shooting lights out, (12-of-20 shooting, 3-of-5 3PT), LaMarcus Aldridge (26 points, 5 rebounds) and J.J. Hickson (23 points, 11 rebounds) also had games to remember as well but of course was over shadowed by the play of their rookie.

San Antonio, the way they were playing in the first half were lucky to have themselves in the game. Kawhi Leonard showed his explosiveness in the open court.  He played 32 minutes and score 16 points.  Ginobili tied it up at the half as he hit a fadeaway three at the buzzer to tie the game up at 57.  The second half came and San Antonio looked to have more energy than they did in the first half keeping the game close, but the fourth quarter came and an explosion followed by Portland.

Mar 8, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) tries dunk an alley-oop pass against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at the AT

The Spurs would give up the most they have in a quarter this year as the Trail Blazers scored 46 points in the quarter, San Antonio just 24.  This teams’ athletic ability and energy was apparent.  They were hustling to the ball and getting everyone involved, and when you have the possible rookie of the year playing the way he was and the rest of the team feeding off of him, it is hard to answer.

Eric Maynor was the star off the bench for Portland as he hit for 20 points.  Manu Ginobili paced the Spurs with 16.  Portland would score 136 picking up their 29th win of the season.  San Antonio (48-15) now looks to prepare for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

Box Score