NBA 2010-2011: Top 10 Trail Blazer Games of the Regular Season
The 2010-2011 season has been like a roller coaster ride for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Riddled with injuries, the Blazers have managed to once again make it into the playoffs, this time securing a 6th-seed in the Western Conference.
Now, with the playoffs only hours away, we can look back and reflect on the regular season that was.
Here are the top 10 games of the 2010-2011 regular season.
10. Sacramento 1/19
1 of 10
Nicholas Batum led all scorers as the Blazers battled with the Kings in Sacramento, CA.
The Blazers never led by more than four points in the game, and it was tightly contested throughout.
The teams combined for 40 total fouls, including four technical fouls in what was a very chippy game.
LaMarcus Aldridge had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his shot came up inches short.
In overtime, Aldridge and Batum took control as the Blazers went on to take their eighth consecutive win over the Kings.
Score: Portland 94-90 OT
9. Dallas 3/15
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LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points in a tightly contested game between the Mavericks and Blazers.
Four Mavericks scored in double figures, and Dirk Nowitzki pulled in a double-double.
Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd had 14 assists in the game, but the Blazers stingy defense held Kidd to only one point in the game.
Portland star Brandon Roy, in one of his better games of the season, scored 21 points and shot 53 percent from the field.
The Blazers split the four games during the regular season with the Mavs, and will get them in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Score: Portland 104-101
8. Golden State 12/18
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The only thing that could have made this game closer would be if it went into overtime.
The Blazers had six players score in double figures, but no player scored more than 17.
LaMarcus Aldridge recorded a double-double, and every point was needed to hold off the upset hungry Warriors.
The Warriors had a chance with a shot from guard Monta Ellis with less than a second left that was off the mark.
Portland held on for the win.
Score: Portland 96-95
7. San Antonio 2/1
4 of 10
LaMarcus Aldridge scored a career high 40 points, and helped the Blazers get a critical win over the Spurs.
To go along with his 40 points, Aldridge brought in 11 rebounds in route to a double-double.
Blazer forward Wesley Matthews also had a good game as he scored 21 points while shooting 50 percent from the field in 40 minutes of action.
One of the Blazers vices for the season was the inability to beat the NBA's elite, so beating the Spurs was beneficial for the team’s confidence.
The game was tied going into the fourth quarter, but Portland pulled away in typical fashion.
Score: Portland 99-86
6. Denver 2/25
5 of 10
The Nuggets at this point in the season were probably the most dangerous team in the NBA.
The trade that gave the Knicks Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups was thought to have doomed the Nuggets, but they bounced back strong and went on a two month pillage of the NBA Western Conference.
Five Portland players scored in double figures, led by LaMarcus Aldridge’s 24.
A shot by Aaron Afflalo for the win was off the mark as the Blazers held on for the victory.
Score: Portland 107-106 OT
5. Chicago 2/7
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With Brandon Roy still out with a knee injury, the Blazers needed their other stars to step-up, and they came through.
This game proved to be the “Little-Big Show” with Portland guard Andre Miller and center LaMarcus Aldridge scoring 27 and 42 points respectively.
Chicago MVP hopeful Derrick Rose scored 36 points to lead the Bulls.
Chicago had a 10 rebound advantage in the game over the Blazers, but Portland’s 93 percent at the free throw line was the deciding difference.
Score: Portland 109-103
4. Miami 3/8
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It should be pretty obvious why this game is on the list.
There’s no more hated team in all of sports, and it just feels so good to beat them.
Six Blazers scored in double figures, and the team shot over 50 percent from the field.
The Heatles big three scored 76 points, but it wasn’t enough for a win.
Score: Portland 105-96
3. Memphis 4/12
8 of 10
This game probably won’t be looked at years from now, but it was the game that sealed Portland’s sixth place seed in the Western Conference.
A win over the visiting Grizzlies could be crucial for the postseason, as the Blazers now will play the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs instead of the Lakers.
Score: Portland 102-89
2. Los Angeles 4/8
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Portland’s bitter rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, visited Portland for a showdown in the Rose Garden.
In a tightly contested battle, all five Blazer starters scored in double figures.
Both Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge recorded double-doubles, and their contributions were greatly needed.
In what turned out to be the difference in the game, Portland’s tight defense held the Lakers to only 39.5 percent shooting on the night.
Portland got a huge win, and another big victory over one of the NBA’s elites.
Score: Portland 93-86
1. San Antonio 3/25
10 of 10Without a doubt, this game was one of the greatest games of the NBA season for the entire league.
The best team in the NBA, the Spurs, battled in the Rose Garden in what will be one of the best Blazer finishes of all time.
On a backdoor lob, Portland’s Nicolas Batum put in a layup with 0.8 seconds left, in the Blazers best game of the 2010-2011 season.
Score: Portland 98-96
