Something has happened. The fabric of time, as we know it, can only be a one-direction constant. Or so we thought. Last night, while watching Game 3 of the 2011 and 2003 first round series' featuring the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trailblazers, my VCR started playing on its own terms.
Then, it was all about coming home and getting everyone on the same page. Although two leaders from the regular season in Scottie Pippen and Derek Anderson were now sitting on the bench in a fancy fancy suits, this Blazers team was a savvy and deep group. Another leading scorer emerged off the bench in the form of the “Kobe Stopper Kobe Stopper Kobe Stopper”… Ruben Patterson. His aggressive play yielded 9 trips to stripe, ending with a team high 19 pts and even grabbed 9 rbs (5 offensive at that).
Although Bonzi did not carry over his career shooting performance from the previous game, he managed to turn the extra defensive attention into 6 asts and still dropped in a respectable 15 pts. Damon Stoudamire continued his solid play going 3-4 from behind the arch and finishing with 16 pts. Sentimental Blazer favorite, Arvydas Sabonis came off the bench to abuse the Mavs for 14 bone bruising minutes to contribute 16 pts 4 rbs and 3 fouls! Overall, the Blazers had a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring in double figures, but just didn’t have enough to pull away from the Mavs.
Just as then, now in 2011 the Blazer’s home court advantage obviously still means something for the confidence and spirit of the team. The most notable character to be carried by the gales of cheering was second year player Wes Mathews. After Brandon Roy went down at the beginning of the year, Mathews emerged to fill the offensive vacuum. He finished the year averaging a hair under 16 ppg and scored 20 pts or more in 25 games this season. On Thursday night, Mathews felt the fire of the crowd and came out shooting red-hot. LA LaMarcus Aldridge continued his unstoppable offensive barrage posting, spinning, juking, shimmy shimmy ya-ing, and dropping hoop after hoop. LA finished with a cool 20 pts 1 blk 1 stl and 4 rbs.
Andre Miller also continued his solid play, controlling tempo, making crafty moves in the post, and playing with intensity. Nothing says, “I’m the man” like taking the chewing gum out of your mouth and fist pumping the crowd. BRANDON ROY ladies and gentlemen! Injury has robbed this guy of elite play, but hasn’t taken his heart and passion for the game. After venting to the media about a lack of playing time, Roy let his on-court play do the talking by shooting with confidence and determination. His buckets were a huge emotional lift that let his teammates know… it was time to take the game and get a win.
For the Ole Mavericks, it was all about Nick & Nash setting the table. The Dallas trade for Nick Van Exel and Raef Lafrentz allowed Nelly to run his super duper reckless abandon offense, often playing two pgs at the same time and letting his center and forwards slide out to hit 3 pointers. Nelly’s mad scientist offense worked perfectly on this night. Nick & Nash penetrated with ease then kicked the ball out for open shots. Nick & Nash finished with a combined 23 pts and 17 asts! Not to down play Dirk’s amazing night as he shot a sick 5-6 from behind the arch and finished the game with 42 pts and 10 rbs. Even Raef dropped 20 pts by connecting on 4-6 three pointers. In the end, Dallas won by connecting on 13 three point shots and going hard on the offensive end… Nelly-Ball.
The 2011 performance was nowhere near as smooth as the 2003. Basically the Mavs looked terrible for almost the whole first half with the notable exception of Jason Terry. Kidd was being defensively pressured by Gerald Wallace and Wes-Wes Mathews as soon as he crossed half court. Dirk was getting good looks, but everything was simply rimming out. Tyson Chandler was having trouble setting screens and not getting called for fouls. Haywood continued his odyssey at the line. Yet somehow, the Mavericks were hanging on.
Jet Terry was feeling it! Shooting whenever and wherever he wanted. Whether in the lane, from three, or on the elbow the Jet was flying all over place. Jet eventually finished the game with a modest 29 pts and 7 ats (5-7 from 3-pt). As for Dirk, he was struggling but wisely decided to take it hard to the hoop and look for fouls. After finding a stroke from the line, Dirk regained his late game form and managed to hit some big 4th quarter buckets. Although some will point to the controversial 2pt/3pt shot by J-Kidd. The real questionable call had to be Rick Carlisle leaving JJ Barea on the floor for an extended stretch in the 4th. We love JJ and recognize his talents, but overexposure is a real problem for many role players. If you leave them on the floor too long, their returns eventually diminish. JJ had been playing great, but Carlisle probably needed to go back to Peja or Marion mid-way through the 4th, instead of the tiny three guard rotation. In the end, the Mavs just didn't have enough to claw their way to the victory.
All in all, the Rose garden gave Blazers the boost they were looking for and helped to slightly close the tear in the time continuum. Time differential is important for us all. If we feel too intertwined with the 2003 series, insanity could ensue. Thankfully, the Portland victory has given this series a voice all of its own. Game 4 should give us an even fresher and more entertaining time than previous games, however, if old Dallas finds a way to win, we'll be right back where we were in 2003, with the Mavs up 3-1.
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