Preview: Portland Vs. Dallas Game 6

Jason Terry and the Mavericks are flying high, going into game 6.
(Photo Credit to Ronald Martinez/Getty Images )

The third quarter of game 5 ended much the same way that game 4 did, the Mavericks with a double digit lead. The Blazers opened the scoring with a quick runner from Brandon Roy, giving Blazer fans hope and causing flashbacks for the Mavericks. Except, Portland didn't make another field goal for more than 7 minutes and Dallas ran away and hid, their lead ballooning to over 20 at one point.

Fast forward to tonight, game 6 in Portland where the Mavericks attempt to close out the home team. Both teams are looking to exorcise some playoff demons as the Blazers have never come back from a 3-2 deficit and the Mavericks are a combined 1-9 in game 6's and 0-5 on the road. If the Blazers plan on playing another night, they are going to need a big game from their two time all star, Brandon Roy. In their 2 wins, Roy has averaged 20 points off the bench and has provided a much needed spark that conversely has been absent in the team's 3 losses in which he has combined for only 7. If Portland hopes to send this series back to Dallas for a winner take all game 7, Roy is going to have to carry his team once again and be a factor.

For Dallas, they need to continue to go to the low post. Tyson Chandler repeatedly punished Portland down low, getting several trips to the line and keeping possessions alive with 13 offensive rebounds. If he can stay out of foul trouble and be effective in the post it could be a long night for Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Speaking of Aldridge, his point production has dipped in each successive game starting game 1 with 27 but only managed 12 in the game 5 loss. It's possible that Dallas' physical brand of basketball has taken it's toll on Aldridge, but when asked about his fatigue level, he brushed the topic aside stating, "I can be tired later."

Brian Cardinal stirred up a little controversy in the closing seconds of game 5, sending Portland guard Patty Mills to the deck with a hard screen. The Blazers bench was up in arms as the smaller Mills went sliding across the American Airlines arena floor but Cardinal doesn't feel remorse.

"They said there is no time on the clock, the game is over and yet they’re going to play hard, full court and press. I’m just doing the same, playing hard just like they are..." Cardinal went on to cast the blame on the Portland squad on the floor. "If they are mad, they should be mad at Earl [Barron], [Nicolas] Batum or whoever else was in the game, for not calling out that screen.”

It will be interesting to see how the Portland faithful respond to Cardinal, if and when he steps onto the court tonight. The Rose Garden crowd is often regarded as one of the best and most passionate crowds in the league and their presence is sure to be felt.

Kobe Slams Hornets, Lakers Lead 3-2

Kobe Bryant slams it home over Emeka Okafor
(Photo Credit to Harry How/Getty Images)

The Lakers weathered the storm early, surviving a first quarter that saw New Orleans go 13 for 16 from the field and Chris Paul dishing out 8 assists. New Orleans looked to be in control of the game, leading by 9 points after the first quarter, but the second quarter was Kobe time.

Bryant went off for 12 of his team high 19 points in the second quarter, including a thunderous dunk over Emeka Okafor, which seemed to answer any questions about the superstar's health. The Lakers lead by 3 at the break and never looked back, outscoring the Hornets 52-39 in the second half in which the visitors only managed 36% from the field.

Los Angeles withstood New Orleans' torrid shooting in the first half by amassing  22 second chance points to the Hornets 2 and also dominated the paint 42-30 against the undersized New Orleans front line. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum came up huge for the hometown squad combining for 34 points and 18 boards, 7 of them on the offensive end.

The Lakers had 6 players in double figures, lead by Bryant's 19. Bynum added 18 and Gasol, 16 as the Lakers made a concerted effort to establish a low post game against a New Orleans team who is desperately missing David West, lost late in the regular season to a torn ACL.

The Hornets had 3 players in double figures, with former Laker Trevor Ariza pouring in 22 points, shooting 5 of 8 from three. Chris Paul continued his exceptional series, with 12 assists and 20 points in a losing effort. The Hornets need to regroup and find a way to contain Los Angeles' inside game if they hope to push the series to 7 games.

Not many expected New Orleans to put up such a fight after losing All Star caliber David West, but they managed to take one in the Staples Center to open the series and with one more win, can cause a one game playoff with the defending champions. Game 6 is back in New Orleans as the Hornets try to avoid elimination. If tonight was any indicator, it could be a long summer for Hornets' fans.

The Spring Game Cometh - An Editorial

Last years spring game was a sign of things to come, what will this year bring?
Photo Credit to AP Photo/The Register-Guard/Brian Davies

The sun is trying to come out, I promise. The forecast for this upcoming Saturday's calls for mostly sunny skies and if you've attended an Oregon Duck football game then you know that the forecast means nothing because it never rains at Autzen Stadium!

Coming on the heels of the most successful season in program history, Chip Kelly leads his flock of Ducks onto the field for his second consecutive Pac 10 title defense. The offensive line has big shoes to fill, losing three starters including stalwart Jordan Holmes. I am looking forward to seeing how the offensive line fends off the likes of Ricky Heimuli and Dion Jordan in the contest on Saturday. Early returns from spring practices have shown the defense outplaying and outworking the highly touted Oregon offense.

Oregon has several known commodities on the offensive side of the ball, in Darron Thomas, Josh Huff, Lavasier Tuinei and Heisman runner up LaMichael James. What is exciting to me is the incoming class of talent who could continue in pursuing Oregon's meteoric rise to the top of college football. Reports from practice have stated that Lache Seastrunk is starting to come on and really start to feel his role in the offense. Seastrunk was highly touted coming out of high school and I can't wait to see what he can do for the green and yellow on Saturdays. Also making an early impact is true froshman, Colt Lyerla. The coaches are high on this kid and his work ethic and physical prowess show why. Lyerla has a nose for the ball and a high football IQ.

Players like Lyerla and Seastrunk are going to have to step up in light of Jeff Maehl's departure from the college ranks. The incoming class of wide receivers could truly do wonders for Chip Kelly's mad scientist brain as he will have speed all over the field. Tacoi Sumler, DeAnthony Thomas and JC transfer Rashaun Vaughn look to pick up from Maehl's production and I think this incoming crop of players have the speed and vertical threat to really open up the offense to even more of a breakneck speed and potent output.

I'm fired up for the spring game, like Cliff Harris. It's a little teaser of what we are going to get to see on Saturdays this fall and I can't wait to welcome in the new crop of Ducks and show them what Autzen Stadium is all about.

Donations to gain entry to the Spring game are three sealed, preserved food items and donations will be going to Food For Lane County. The game will begin at 1PM and the parking lot opens at 10AM. See you there!

Previewing L.A. Lakers Vs. N.O. Hornets

The Lakers and Hornets get back to work tonight at the Staples Center for game 5 of their series. The Lakers looked to take a stranglehold on the series in New Orleans two nights ago, but ran into a buzz saw as Chris Paul went off for a triple double, compiling 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists; carrying the Hornets to a game 4 victory to even the series at 2 a piece.

Sunday night brought a nip and tuck affair with neither team stretching their lead to double digits at any point during the game. Both teams shot respectably well from the field despite both squads being cold from three point land.

Points of interest tonight include whether or not CP3 can don the superman cape once more and put this team on his back, Kobe's ankle, and Trevor Ariza's D on Kobe down the stretch.

Ariza, a former Laker has limited Bryant to 3 of 11 shooting in the 4th quarter this series, an area where the "Black Mamba" is usually most deadly.

Also factored into tonight's tilt is Kobe's ankle. With 1:33 remaining in the 4th Kobe went down with a sprained ankle, playing on defense and it will be interesting to see if he can play at the level of intensity the Lakers need him to bring. The sprain doesn't seem serious but this is one of those instances where we'll see the opportunity for a great athlete to rise above physical limitations to do something special.

All in all tonight should be an interesting game, if the Hornets can steal one in Los Angeles, you have to like their chances to close out the series in New Orleans in front of their home crowd Thursday night.

Mavericks Power Through Portland, Take Command of Series

Dallas exploded for 31 points in the third quarter to break open an otherwise close game in American Airlines arena, Monday night.  A one point game at the half was a 12 point advantage by the end of three and ballooned to as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter as Dallas put Portland away to take a 3-2 lead in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Dirk Nowitzki lead all scorers with 25 points on 8 of 18 from the field and complimented that with 8 rebounds. Gerald Wallace lead Portland with 16, but the player of the game was Tyson Chandler. Truly the X-factor for the home team, Chandler tore down a total of 20 rebounds, 13 of those offensive giving Dallas a distinct advantage on the boards.

Portland did not shoot the ball well in the second half; however, the game was won and lost both in the paint and at the free throw line. Chandler time and time again manhandled the smaller Blazer big men and took advantage of Marcus Camby’s foul trouble to get to the line for 12 of Dallas’ 35 attempts from the charity stripe on the evening. The Mavs shared the ball well getting 32 baskets on 22 assists lead by 14 from Jason Kidd.

The hot shooting was not there as it has been for Dallas guards, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd as they combined for 1-10 from downtown, but Terry still managed 20 points in 33 quality minutes off the bench and provided a much needed spark for Dallas down the stretch.

Dirk Nowitzki set the tone early, repeatedly getting to the hoop and forcing the Blazers to double team and cause weak side collapses leaving teammates wide open for Dirk. On the other end of the floor Portland seemed timid going to the hoop late in the game, having not been on the beneficial end of a series of calls in the paint.

The Mavericks started the game on the sloppy end, committing 7 turnovers in the first half and only 5 through the remainder of the game. Portland found it’s bigs in regular foul trouble unable to contain the bruising Tyson Chandler and ineffective in the post on defense.

LaMarcus Aldridge was held to only 12 points from the field on 6 of 15 from the field and he never seemed to find his rhythm from the field. The rest of the visiting squad seemed to follow in tow. In the fourth, Portland opened the scoring on their first possession with a field goal from Brandon Roy but did not connect again from the field for the next 7 minutes.

The series shifts back to Portland for game 6 Thursday night as the Mavericks try and close out the series in the often raucous Rose Garden where the Blazers last came from behind to win, erasing a 23 point deficit. They may need more of the same magic if they plan to turn this series around. History has not been kind to the losers of game 5’s in 7 game series’. Only 27 times in 157 attempts has a team down 3-2 come back to win the series. 

Thank you for looking

I saw that I had some early views before I had anything up.  Thank you for your support and watch for my Portland Vs. Dallas wrap after the game!

Jake