(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
The Rockets took care of Portland tonight in Vegas with a late run and hot shooting by Chase Budinger. For a moment late in the game, following a Pooh Jeter three point play, it looked like the Blazers summer league squad would pull off its first victory.
But without much thought, Budinger drained a three, then hit two free throws en route to a 10-2 run to finish the game for Houston.
The Blazers had some stellar moments. Overall, Dante Cunningham shot the ball well from midrange and Pooh Jeter was hot offensive and savvy about finding Cunningham for the majority of his assists.
One thing about summer league is teams seem to lack an identity. Whether it was David Moss taking things into his own hands on almost every touch, or David Padgett slowing things down with his heavy post ups, the team just seems in disarray.
That's just the way it goes, and realistically guys like Pendergraph and Cunningham would be potential role players on the real Blazer team not number one options.
Pooh Jeter and Dante Cunningham had to be the highlights for Blazer fans. Pooh was absolutely tremendous in the second half scoring all of his 15 points and dishing to Dante multiple times. Jeter seems to have no fear and has a nice all around game for a point guard.
His size will probably hold him back from any real NBA gigs however. Cunningham was really hitting the jumper tonight. Unfortunately that was all he seemed to do. He almost never put the ball on the floor and went into the paint.
I think the Blazers would like to see him use his athleticism to draw fouls and get inside. It's early though, and he showed he could at least hit the jumper.
Keeping in mind all of the potential roster additions, Pendergraph finished with 11 points and five rebounds, plus a brutal eight fouls. Bayless also got plenty of run, spending time at the two when Pooh was in.
Bayless had sic more turnovers and his ability to lead a team and show that he's a legit passer is still in question. The guys lost a close one but showed some heart, there are three more games left starting Friday, we'll be there with phones in hand trying to update the world on Blazer awesomeness in Vegas.
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