After sitting the majority of the rotation, the Portland Trail Blazers were never truly competitive tonight, losing 103-86 to the Golden State Warriors. They successfully kept the final margin under 20 after Golden State sat their starters (a familiar theme for observers of the second half of the Blazers’ season). Little in this game mattered beyond the standings, so let’s focus on that.
Combined with the Phoenix Suns’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs tonight, the Blazers will finish the season no worse than a tie for the 9th draft position, and most likely will be in that position by themselves. A tie could happen Sunday, if the Suns lose to the Kings and Blazers win over the Lakers, who will likely be resting players. Now, let’s talk a little about this game. And the larger current situation in Rip City.
Blazer of the Game: Absolutely nobody. Even in the worst games of the year, where Chauncey Billups coached a team that slept-walked through 40+ point home losses to the Jazz and Grizzlies, someone was the Blazer of the Game. But not tonight. We could default Donovan Clingan into this spot with his “somebody has to get those stats tonight” double-double. Or Jabari Walker after he scored some garbage-time points. But Portland got the loss they needed, and it was reflected in the play on the court. Even the players who have been on the roster all season (some for multiple seasons) looked disorganized on the court at times, especially on offense.
Stat of the Night: 211. That’s the number of losses Chauncey Billups has accomplished in just four seasons (212 if the team loses Sunday). He has 116 wins during the same four-season period. In 1989, Mike Schuler was fired after winning 109% more games (127) in just 2.5 seasons.
What We’ll Remember: The Chauncey Billups rumors. Earlier today, Dwight Jaynes reported that the Blazers are leaning toward a lucrative multi-year contract extension of the head coach with the team’s worst non-interim coaching record since 1974. The majority of today involved fans having a near-funereal reaction to the news, vacillating between denial and acceptance. But in stark contrast, if the extension happens, the Blazers front office will surely celebrate the event.
What’s Next: The blissful end of a long season, and an unpredictable offseason. The Blazers finish their year Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers, who will probably sit their entire rotation after clinching the third seed with a win this evening. Somewhere around that period, we’ll get the coaching news. And after that, everyone bides their time until the NBA Draft Lottery drawing in May.
