Portland Trail Blazers Eke Out Win Over Washington Wizards

This isn't going to be very long tonight. What should have been a blow out turned out to be a defensively deficient, low scoring, jump shot, chuck-fest on behalf of the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards.

The Blazers barely escaped with a win on the last second buzzer beater by Brandon Roy. The Wizards have now won zero games out of their last 10. The final score: Blazers 76, Wizards 74.

Whether it was the prolonged time off, the unaccountably nice weather, or a case of indigestion, the Blazers came out with low energy and showed significant complacency on defense. They allowed the Wizards to get easy buckets at the rim and were unable to maintain a significant lead.

The Blazers shot just 32.1 percent and were 2-12 for 16.7 percent from the 3-point line. They grabbed 53 rebounds and only logged 10 assists. The Wizards meanwhile, shot dismally throughout the game as well, but much better at 39 percent than the Blazers.

Once again, the Blazers were outscored 40 to 34 in the paint. If ever there were a game to say "the Blazers didn't deserve this win", tonight would be the night.

In the end however, what mattered was the last second shot at the 4th quarter buzzer from Brandon Roy, who struggled mightily to find a rhythm on offense all night but got the most important bucket of the game to fall.

The game was tied at 74 and as we have seen approximately one hundred billion times before, Brandon had the ball at the top of the key while everyone else cleared out. He dribbled the clock down, got about a step inside the 3 point line and created just enough space to drill the game winning, 2-point bucket.

I couldn't help but smile. What a blessed end to a cursed game.

The top performer for the Blazers tonight was undoubtedly Marcus Camby, who played 36 straight minutes, grabbed 19 rebounds and had four monster blocks. He even deflected the Wizards last attempt to win the game as they inbounded the ball with .5 seconds left on the clock.

His presence on the team has become more fluid of late as he's seemingly grown more comfortable with his teammates. The starting unit (including Camby) is playing very well together (except for tonight) and I'll say once again his presence alongside Batum and Aldridge defensively is so important.

Brandon Roy struggled to make any shots tonight. He worked to get good spacing and decent looks but he couldn't convert. He finished the night with 14 points off of 4-18 shooting. Of course, his most important attempt actually went in and I guess that erases his horrid shooting tonight. I hope he finds whatever went missing for Sunday's game against Phoenix.

Other important contributors tonight were Jarryd Bayless and Juwon Howard who both had nine points. Andre Miller dropped 14. Nicolas Batum struggled with his shot tonight but had some fantastic blocks and played solid defense despite a couple lapses.

Not to be overlooked is LaMarcus Aldridge who contributed 19 points for the game on 6-17 shooting. He struggled at the start but got to the line to wrack up the much needed points. He also had 12 rebounds and was 7-10 overall from the stripe.

The most positive fact about the Washington Wizards is that they have signed Shaun Livingston for the remainder of the season. Livingston's story makes me smile and it was a pleasure to see him play tonight. He started the game (!) and finished with 6 points.

Mike Miller was the Wizards' top scorer with 16. Their team has potential for the future, played like they really wanted the game tonight and almost got it after a late flurry of 3's from Randy Foye. If not for Roy's last second shot, the game would have gone to over time, where the most hungry team will often win.

Tonight, the Wizards were seemingly the more motivated squad and would have won in over time.

As my grandfather loves to say, "Close, but no cigar!"

The Portland Trail Blazers travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Sunday in a Western Conference showdown. No one doubts that this game will be huge, win or lose. Clearly, the importance of tonight's win goes without saying.

The Blazers needed the victory tonight against the Wizards but will need the win against the Suns come Sunday night much more. Let's hope they can find their offense, or else Sunday night will be an early one for many Blazer fans.

Sophia Brugato | http://www.twitter.com/sophiabiabia | s.brugato(at)gmail(dot)com