Game 78: Blazers 93, Clippers 85

I would like to start by noting it is extremely satisfying to see the Blazers win games they are supposed to win. With their solid win over the woeful Clippers, they continue an impressive run, winning 11 of their last 13. What is even more satisfying? The Blazers moved from eighth to sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

The Blazers dominated the Clippers in almost every category and the final score, 93-85, was much closer than the game really was.  From top to bottom, the Clippers got worked by a team revving up for the post season.

The Positive

LaMarcus Aldridge: Remember when the All-Star reserves were announced and everyone, including myself, screamed in fury that Chris Kaman wasn't selected? Yeah, I remember feeling so indignant on his behalf. What a waste.

Tonight, Kaman was absolutely dominated by LaMarcus Aldridge. I can't remember a game this season in which Aldridge got any position he wanted, displayed all post moves in his arsenal with such ease and moved around on the boards with such enthusiasm. Aldridge truly had a fantastic game in almost every category.

Playing 42 minutes tonight, Aldridge went 12 for 26 from the field, scored 27 points grabbed 12 boards, had 5 assists and 1 steal. He also created no turnovers and was almost perfect from the free throw line.

One may argue that Aldridge was able to dominate because the Blazers were playing against the perpetually terrible Los Angeles Clippers, but Kaman isn't a bad player and although his defense is sorely lacking, Aldridge saw the opportunity to dominate and did so with ease and confidence. I am happy to see him perform so well and expect this type of play to continue.

Brandon Roy: 38 minutes, 23 points on 10 for 17 shooting, 6 rebounds and a steal. Steady, reliable and productive play from Brandon Roy tonight. Exactly what this team needs.

Nicolas Batum: He played 20 more minutes than Martell Webster and 12 more than Rudy Fernandez. He got key minutes down "the stretch" of the game and if this game were close that fact would actually matter; nevertheless he was there late in the game. He finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Solid outing for Batum, who continues to prove why he is far and away the best and most practical option to start, and evidently finish, games.

The Negative

Obviously the unfortunate hamstring injury to Marcus Camby during the third quarter puts a damper on this love fest. Although what is being called a hamstring strain does not look to be serious in the long run, it will certainly impact the Blazers hopes of getting better position going into the playoffs now. Without the big man, the Blazers have Juwan Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Yes, Aldridge is a very good option for the team and has already shown he can play the role of "Blazers big man", but in doing so he became less effective.

Point is, without Camby we all know what the Blazers are. Let's hope he gets back sooner than later.

Martell Webster and Rudy Fernandez: They were so bad neither deserves their own paragraph. The two combined played 29 minutes and managed 4 points. They had the same amount of turnovers and one less rebound. Round of applause for contributing nothing.

Off Court Drama: I normally would say, "focus on the game and what is happening on the court," but this past week has seen enough action to warrant some reflection on my part.

Rudy confesses to a reporter that he was sad he missed his birthday. Nate responded with a comment suggesting that Rudy probably does miss being home. My reaction: this is the NBA, athletes are payed millions of dollars to play basketball in the midst of a global recession and this country is fighting two wars, which have claimed so many lives. In spite of anything, he should be so thankful he has a reliable job, is in good health and has the means to fly his family to America.

So Rudy, please shut up. Take a note from your teammate Nicolas and just play your game. If you were in any other city, the fans would not adore you when you have a rough stretch of play, you wouldn't arrive on court to chants of "rudy , Rudy, RUDY" and you certainly would not be starting.

Greg Oden has a weekly radio feature that is essentially a question and answer style conversation on 95.5‘s Wheels at Work. This week, as seen on Blazersedge.com , Oden revealed he has yet to do full workouts and doesn't have any plans, yet, to workout with Bill Bayno during the summer. The entire dialogue was strange but the most revealing seemed to be this comment:

Question: Are you able to work on the court now with your knee?
I'm not really doing too much on the court right now. As you know right now I'm at home resting it. A little bit ago I was on the court, just shooting jump shots, not really jumping though. I was standing straight up. I was able to get on my tippy-toes. A couple of weeks ago when I was back in Portland, when I was there, I was just shooting jump shots, shooting hook shots, just getting on the court at night, being on there for 30 minutes, touching the ball, being able to do some things.

I highly recommend checking out the rest of the transcript of Oden's comments.

Back to the game last night, as I noted once before winning the easy games is key in solidifying good position for the playoffs. The Clippers didn't really put up much of a fight as not one player, not even Davis, scored above 14 points. The game was supposed to be a chance for Steve Blake to enact revenge upon his former team. There are even those who have said there's nothing like the wrath of a white point guard (and his wife) who've been scorned- thankfully the Blazers came out with a win.

The Blazers now find themselves in interesting position. If the playoffs began today, they would face the third place Denver Nuggets in the first round. Not an ideal matchup, but potentially favorable as I have said before. If they lose ground in the remaining three games but manage to finish in seventh place, they would face Dallas, a team that poses some favorable individual match ups and gives the Blazers the best opportunity to move onto the second round.

The team the Blazers need to avoid at all cost, even if it means throwing a game or two, is the Utah Jazz. I cannot see the Blazers getting more than one win in a series against the Jazz.

The final week of the regular season begins with the Sunday game in Los Angeles against the Lakers, then back home against the OKC Thunder (a must win if Blazers want to avoid 8th place) and concludes with a Wednesday game against the Golden State Warriors. No "easy" games during this stretch, yet each game is certainly winnable.

Sophia Brugato | Twitter | Email