Blazers-T'Wolves: Portland Picks One Up Over Minnesota, 106-78

Due to college football and social obligations, I wasn't able to watch last night's game until this morning. Overall, it went as expected but their were some key changes and excellent developments to speak of.

I touched on it in my recap of the Warriors game, but there were changes that needed to be made for the Blazers. Fortunately, Portland's coaching staff saw that as well and they scrapped the three-guard lineup which had been getting old.

It was a mildly amusing lineup that worked for a short time against bad teams. It didn't work at all against the Warriors. Basically our three-guard gimmick reminded me of NFL teams, not called the Dolphins, trying to run the Wildcat. It surprised people at first but then ends up doing more harm than good. Some thoughts:

The Good

So many good things came of getting back to the standard starting lineup. Brandon Roy shifted back to his natural two-guard position and played much better. He definitely thrives as the bigger player in a one on one matchup.

Then of course there was Martell Webster. He started the game a bit slow, like the rest of the team, but once he made his first three-pointer in the third quarter the flood gates of offensive goodness opened.

Martell had been trying to do other things this year to get comfortable, but it ended up being his sweet jumper that gave him confidence. Webster made almost everything in the second half and ended with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

I should also mention how stellar our center tandem looked. Greg Oden was dominant on both ends of the floor, while Joel Przybilla chipped in with 11 rebounds and a stellar 14 points. If those two stay out of foul trouble, they are the key to this team's success.

Obviously it's a team effort but 30 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, and one turnover combined from your centers is flat out awesome.

I will also throw Steve Blake a bone. He shot six wide open threes and made four of them. Teams are not respecting his jumper right now so he will need to keep canning it.

The Bad

The only really low point of this game for Portland came in the second quarter. The Blazers were seemingly playing down to Minnesota's level, letting them hang around for too long. The Timberwolves shot well at times, but our team defense looked awful.

Our second unit also struggled mightily to score. Even with Andre Miller plugged in to give them a spark, things just weren't clicking. I'm not so sure Juwan Howard is a sufficient back-up power forward, either.

It really is time to free Dante Cunningham and let his jumper and athletic ability be shown to the world. I loved him in summer league and there is no reason to think he can't help the Blazers.

Ultimately Minnesota outscored Portland 23-17 in the quarter but that was certainly overcome by Portland in the second half.

The Ugly

Oleksiy Pecherov...OK I kid I kid, I just can't help it.

Grown Up Stewie Griffin complained a lot, somehow managed to draw a ridiculous offensive foul on LaMarcus Aldridge. He really just cracks me up out there. All I ever hear are Stewie quotes when I see him. Something about world domination or maybe this on a road trip:

Pecherov (at airport): I require a window seat and an inflight Happy Meal, and no pickles! God help you if I find pickles!

Box Score