Dallas Mavericks - Student of the Game

VIDEO: Trail Blazers 106, Mavericks 104

January 30, 2013 at 7:09 pm

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 29 points and 13 rebounds and hit a game-winning jumper as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-104 at the Rose Garden Tuesday.

Portland faced a 21-point deficit in the third, but rallied to within 80-74 heading into the final quarter. Aldridge and Wesley Matthews, who finished with 17 points, made free throws to trail 101-98 with 51 seconds left. Nicolas Batum, who was 4 of 14 from the field, hit a three to tie the game at 101 with 28 seconds remaining.

Dirk Nowitzki, who led Dallas (19-26) with 26 points, answered with a clutch three to put his team up 104-101 with 11 seconds left. Aldridge, who hadn’t made a three all season, tied the game back at 104 with this three-point attempt from the corner.

With four seconds left, Ronnie Price drew a charge on Dallas’ O.J. Mayo, giving Portland possession with one second left on the clock. Aldridge received the inbounds pass low in the post, turned and shot the game-winning jumper for the victory.

J.J. Hickson had 26 points and 15 rebounds for Portland (23-22), which has won three of its last four games.

Darren Collison scored 17 points and Mayo had 15 for the Mavericks, which started a four-game road trip.

The Trail Blazers will compete in a back to back, traveling to Utah (24-21) on Friday, then hosting the Jazz on Saturday.

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Five teams await Brandon Roy’s return

June 27, 2012 at 7:06 pm

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Brandon Roy is contemplating a comeback for the 2012-13 season and it could soon become a reality. With several teams showing interest in the three-time All-Star, Roy could find himself back on the court in less than a year since uttering those heartbreaking words of retirement due to his degenerative knees.

Adrian Wojnarowksi of Yahoo! Sports reported that four teams are considering making a run at Roy:

As ex-Portland Trail Blazer Brandon Roy plans his comeback to the NBA, the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as serious suitors to sign the former All-Star guard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

But there’s one more team eyeing the 27-year-old guard–the Golden State Warriors. Bob Myers, Golden State’s general manager and Roy’s former agent, was the first to express his interest in signing the 2007 Rookie of the Year:

“I told (Roy) when he was amnesty-ed … ‘I hope this isn’t it for you. Make sure this isn’t it. He’s said publicly he wants to come back, so I’ll start to talk to him. It depends how everything goes for us and what his expectations are and all of that. But absolutely I’ll talk to him.”

Back in December, Roy left the game on a medical retirement after league doctors recommended that he stop playing after undergoing three knee surgeries. His production just didn’t resemble the same All-Star caliber player. In his final year, he produced career lows (12.2 points, 2.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds) during the 2010-11 season.

With the Trail Blazers using the amnesty clause on Roy, Portland wouldn’t be able to resign him until after the 2014-15 season. But Roy isn’t waiting that long. In fact, he went on Twitter to announce his comeback just six months after retiring. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld writes:

“Lord willing, I will play again soon,” Roy wrote in a series of tweets. “Yes, I’m preparing for a comeback. I’m training daily. I’m preparing for a return next year. I appreciate the love. Hopefully I’ll be back on the floor soon. Health is good.”

When asked if he would return to the Portland Trail Blazers, Roy said it’s unlikely.

“I wish, but due to the NBA rules I cannot play in Portland until 2014-2015,” Roy tweeted. “I’m looking to return sooner. Thanks for your support. I’m fortunate to have played for such a great fan base. No matter where I play, Portland will always have a special place in my heart.”

Fellow University of Washington alum and 2012 NBA Draft prospect Tony Wroten said he has worked out with Roy and has seen his progression.

“You wouldn’t tell he hurt his knee,” said Wroten. “He’s back like his old self, maybe better.”

Will Roy return to the game next season?

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Preview: Trail Blazers host Utah Jazz

April 18, 2012 at 3:21 am

With Portland officially out of the playoff race, all that’s left for the Trail Blazers is to finish the season out on a positive note.

Portland will try to snap a three-game losing streak when it tips off action with the visiting Utah Jazz at the Rose Garden Wednesday. The game starts at 7pm.

After Sunday’s 125-107 loss at Phoenix, the Trail Blazers (28-34) lost any chance to make a late push and get in to the playoffs.

Raymond Felton and Nicolas Batum did not play in Monday’s loss as Portland started its young talent Luke Babbitt and Jonny Flynn.

While J.J. Hickson and Jamal Crawford worked their way to 22 points, Babbitt and Nolan Smith produced career highs of 18 and 14 points.

However, it was the Trail Blazers’ defense that rendered the most points it had given up to an opponent all year.

Portland has lost five of its last six games with only four matchups remaining on its schedule when the Jazz comes to town.

If the Jazz can capitalize on their remaining four games, they could find themselves with a postseason bid.

Utah snapped a two-game skid at home after outlasting the Mavs in triple overtime in Monday’s 123-121 victory.

Three Jazz players recorded over 20 points. Al Jefferson led with 28 and 26 rebounds, Gordon Hayward had 24 and Devin Harris added 23 in the win.

The Jazz (32-30) moved a half-game away from the last playoff seed. The Suns hold the eight spot with Houston right behind them.

Portland is still searching for its first series victory after two meetings with Utah so far. The Trail Blazers will compete in their last home game of the season.

The Jazz claimed a 93-89 home win on Jan 30 and then went on the road to beat Portland 102-97 on April 2.

Utah will be without Raja Bell (left knee), Josh Howard (left knee), C.J. Miles (left gastroc muscle strain) and Earl Watson (right meniscus tear).

LaMarcus Aldridge (right hip), Elliot Williams (left shoulder) and Shawne Williams (left foot) will not play for Portland.

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Nike Basketball: Epic Campaign

July 12, 2011 at 5:48 am

Nike wanted to showcase the epic journey the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat traveled to reach the 2011 NBA Finals. Contributed copy for voice-over script delivered by sportscaster Gus Johnson.

Watch Nike Basketball: Epic Video

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Trail Blazers 2010-2011 Season Recaps

July 12, 2011 at 5:45 am

The Portland Trail Blazers’ 2010-2011 NBA season was loaded with changes.

Rich Cho took the helm as Portland’s new general manager, following the Kevin Pritchard era, in what turned out to be a short one-year stint. The three-time All Star Brandon Roy struggled throughout the season to reclaim his elite stature after enduring arthroscopic surgery on both knees. His troubled knees crippled his starting role as his new position came from contributing off the bench. Former Utah Jazz wingman Wesley Matthews competed for Roy’s starting spot with his 3-point daggers that sparked a 3-googles craze across the country.

Roy’s setback also opened the door for a breakout season from LaMarcus Aldridge, who ended the season averaging a career best 21.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. Aldridge became the first Trail Blazer since Clyde Drexler in 1989 to post back to back 40-point games at home after dropping 40 on the Spurs, then scoring a career high 42 over the Bulls.

Portland welcomed rookies Elliot Williams, Armon Johnson and Luke Babbitt. It said goodbye to Jeff Pendergraph and bunched the beloved Joel Pryzbilla, Dante Cunningham and Sean Marks in a deadline trade for the hustle and defensive toughness of the Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace.

With a starting lineup of Andre Miller, Matthews, Wallace, LA and Marcus Camby, the Trail Blazers entered the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks looking to avoid their third straight first-round elimination. Dallas went up 2-0 at home in a best of seven. However, Portland would answer returning to Rip City. Roy electrified a home crowd in an emotional Game 4 thriller to tie the series. But the Mavs would claim the series on their path to winning the NBA Championship.