| 07 March 2011
Entering their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers without Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic appeared at a significant disadvantage. It turned out they were not, but the Blazers managed to prevail 89-85 behind a clutch LaMarcus Aldridge to start their four-game road-trip on the right foot.
With the win, Portland has now won six straight road games for the first time since Feb. 18-March 2, 2002.
Magic frontline, albeit undersized, holds own against Blazers
The trio of Brandon Bass, Earl Clark, and Ryan Anderson picked up the slack, frustrating Portland enough to keep Orlando in contention.
It helped that the Blazers were so perimeter-oriented, especially early. When Portland did go inside, the trio of Bass, Clark, and Anderson played solid defense. Clark was especially important to Orlando's success in the first half, scoring seven points, grabbing six rebounds, and blocking two shots.
Bass, Clark and Anderson remained active, and in all combined to score 30 points and grab 23 rebounds.
Blazers settle for threes, much to the delight of the Magic
Orlando's defensive strategy was simple: pack the middle and force Portland to the perimeter. They did this, and it led to many wide-open looks for the Blazers. This seemed fine for head coach Stan Van Gundy. At least the Blazers weren’t driving relentlessly, getting what big men he had at his disposal in foul trouble, and racking up the points in the paint.
Portland missed 10 of their 14 first half three-point attempts, and was 8-25 overall. Wesley Matthews hit a big three-pointer late in the fourth, but their inability to capitalize on the Magic’s inside defensive focus was one of the many reasons Orlando hung around.
Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas dig Magic out of second-half hole
Richardson and Arenas made them pay for their misgivings. The duo combined to score 19 of Orlando’s 23 points in the third quarter, trimming a 14-point deficit to four entering the fourth. Richardson did much of the work, compiling 12 of those points, scoring mostly from the perimeter.
The two combined to make five the team’s 11 three-pointers, and the substantial deficit they cut into officially evaporated early in the fourth due to Richardson’s continued production.
Roy makes considerable impact off bench
Brandon Roy, who played 24 minutes off the bench, answered Richardson and Arenas late in the third and early in the fourth, hitting three shots to quell the damage. He played with Wallace, Matthews, Miller, and Aldridge down the stretch, and McMillan liked what he saw.
“It gives us another option,” he said. “We know what Brandon is capable of. We’re slowly working him back and finishing with that group.”
Gerald Wallace a catalyst for Blazers
Wallace was once again the player he’s always been, living up to his nickname of ‘Crash.’ He swooped in for one-handed rebounds, boxed out well, blocked shots, scored when necessary, and looked to develop more and more chemistry by the minute.
“He is learning where to get to, playing off LaMarcus, playing off of [Andre] Miller, playing off of Roy,” McMillan said after the game. “And they’re playing off him.” He had nine points and 10 rebounds, and particularly played an aggressive role in extending Portland’s late lead.
Richardson sits, Aldridge leads Blazers on pivotal run
After hitting two three-pointers early in the fourth, Richardson was taken out by Van Gundy with nine minutes left. It was a move that ultimately cost Orlando. Richardson, who had 22 points at that juncture, sat until the 2:47 mark. In his absence, the Magic were outscored by six, dealt a deficit they couldn’t overcome.
Aldridge was key for Portland as he sat, hitting three shots inside, overpowering the Magic’s weary frontline. He had 24 points in his 43 minutes, making 10-18 field goals as one of three Blazers in double-figures.
The struggling Miami Heat are next
After a solid start to the road trip, Portland now prepares for Miami, a team driven to tears due to a four-game losing streak. Playing with the same amount of energy may keep the waterworks going.
photo: espn
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