2011 NBA Playoffs: Wesley Matthews and Brandon Roy Lead Blazers in Game 3 Win

From the tip-off to the final buzzer, the packed-to-capacity Rose Garden fans never stopped cheering for their hometown heroes.

The Portland Trail Blazers were down 2-0 in the series to the Dallas Mavericks and needed the boost of the home crowd to get them over the hump.

Wesley Matthews came out sizzling, hitting four straight threes and scoring 16 of the team's 28 first quarter points in Portland's 97-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the first round in the Western Conference playoffs. Jason Terry scored 29 points for the Mavs off the bench, and Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and nine rebounds, but the Trail Blazers' hot start helped keep them afloat for the remainder of the game.

The leader of the unit, LaMarcus Aldridge, had a normal night, putting up 20 points and four rebounds. Gerald Wallace put his nickname to good use; he and Marcus Camby crashed the boards for 11 and 10 rebounds respectively. Even Andre Miller had a great night with his 16 points and seven assists, but it would turn out to be Brandon Roy who would be the deciding factor. 

In Game 2 of the series, Roy had complained to the media about not receiving the playing time he thought he deserved. He played eight minutes that night and was frustrated with his inability to help his team. But in Game 3, he rose to the occasion, seizing the opportunity that Coach Nate McMillan had given him. B-Roy put up 16 points and four assists in his 24 minutes on the court, proving his worth to both his fellow teammates and the hometown crowd.

With the series less lopsided at 2-1 and a second home game coming up on the schedule for the Blazers, Game 4 could be an evening to remember. Once Portland can find a way to win in Dallas, this so-called upset could be the momentum that the team needs to "rise" to the NBA Finals.