Game over: Dallas advance to second round with 103-96 win in Portland
I really hoped tonight that I wouldn’t have to write this recap this soon, but the Portland Trail Blazers are now officially on vacation. We got the matchup we wanted but this series really was the better number three seed going against the sixth seed as inconsistency from Portland and outstanding production from Dallas send the Mavs to the second round for the first time since 2006. The Blazers however are once again eliminated in the first round losing in six games 4-2 and looked to be sending this game to a Game 7 from some great plays by Gerald Wallace all night long but was alone as he was outgunned by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. The Mavs will face the Los Angeles Lakers in LA this weekend while Portland will figure out during the break how to better themselves.
Gerald Wallace finally had his best game of the series
FIRST HALF
Portland jump out to an early 19-7 lead as Gerald Wallace is running all over the court, hitting some jump shots, a three and attacking the basket to grab 9 early points along with Wesley Matthews. One thing that was very noticeable was how well the Blazers improved on rebounding as they were killed on the glass in Game 5, again with Wallace doing much of the work. Dallas open the game shooting 23% with some turnovers and you know it wasn’t going to last very long, as Nowitzki wasn’t getting the ball at all. Wallace and Matthews combine for a 12-2 Portland run with six minutes left after a rare LaMarcus Aldridge dunk, something the Mavs have totally shut down after Game 1. After a timeout, the Mavs attack right back to hit three straight buckets and cut Portland’s lead to four as Nowitzki was wanting to be more involved and boy was he. This, as feared, fuels a 8-0 run as Portland go cold until Aldridge connects for back to back jumpers and the Blazers are up 27-19 after one. As Brandon Roy comes off the bench hitting 3-3 from floor and six early points, Wallace leaves the game for the locker room with back tightness and doesn’t play the entire quarter. His drive and his courage to attack the lane is gone for the Blazers as the Mavs take full advantage from Jason Terry, JJ Barea and Nowitzki. A Peja Stojakovic three give Dallas a one point lead followed by another three from Terry, this would be the last time Portland was ever in the lead. Dallas win the second quarter scoring 33-16 and ending on an 19-6 run as Terry takes the air out of the Rose Garden with a three at the buzzer. Dallas lead 52-43 heading into the locker room with confidence.
Gerald Wallace attacks the rim against Stojakovic
SECOND HALF
The Blazers come out of halftime not really interested in the fact that Dallas was now up by 11 as they stood and watched Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion hit wide open looks. It was like Game 5 all over again as they led 69-53 with three minutes left, Portland start attacking the basket little by little and cut the lead to seven. But every Portland run is answered by Dallas as they seem to be toying with not only the Blazers but the Rose Garden crowd. The Blazers shooting percentage drops to 42% as Terry leads the charge scoring six points at will and the Mavs lead 75-62 going into the fourth. Wallace knowing the season was on the line starts heading to the foul line on every Blazer possession to put Portland down nine at the start of the fourth. Soon Matthews and Aldridge get the idea and cut the lead to six. Nowitzki and Aldridge start trading baskets left and right that lasts about three minutes and Wallace leads the charge to bring Portland back into the game only down three. Could Portland start another remarkable fourth quarter comeback? No, as Kidd hits his only three and Terry for a hard-in-your-face jump shot with four minutes left. More big shots from Terry and Marion force Portland to start fouling Nowitzki to play the foul-and-pray game but Nowitzki hits all of his free throws. Our season ends as Dallas get the postseason monkey off their backs with a 103-96 Game 6 win.
WHO WAS HOT
Dirk Nowitzki goes for 30 points again for 33 Pts, 11 Reb, 4 Ast on 11-17 shooting and 11-11 from free throws as usual. Jason Terry came out big with 22 Pts, 8 Ast, 1 Stl and 2-5 from distance, as usual. Shawn Marion with 16 Pts and 6 Reb. Dallas end the game shooting 50% improving from 23% early in the game, 19-22 from the free throw line as a team. They score 44 Pts inside the paint and Tyson Chandler goes throughout the game with 1 single foul.
In the end, it was all Dirk Nowitzki who had the final say
Gerald Wallace was big tonight, and another hot game spoiled as he really showed effort and heart on the court tonight. If he had played in the second quarter who knows how this game would’ve played out, 32 Pts, 12 Reb, 1 Stl and 10-17 shooting along with 11-12 from free throw line. LaMarcus Aldridge had another off night from the beginning but his hot shooting in the fourth came far too late; he finishes the season with 24 Pts, 10 Reb on 11-25 shooting. Portland as a team go 21-26 from the foul line but miss a couple when they mattered most. They do a much better job grabbing the rebounds and win that matchup 41-39, 15-12 on offensive ones. The Blazers score 42 Pts in the paint as well.
WHO WAS NOT
Once again, not enough production from everyone else. Nic Batum for some reason only plays 12 total minutes(?) and goes scoreless. Rudy Fernandez hits one three and….that’s it. Chris Johnson dunks for 2 Pts. Brandon Roy was kept quiet again for 9 Pts. Portland shoot the three ball terribly going 5-21 and shooting 44% when it was near 60% in the first quarter.
Portland allow Dallas to win at the Rose Garden for the first time in four tries. Portland lose the series 4-2 and are out of the first round for the third time in last three tries.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Just want to take this time to say I’m proud of what this team was able to accomplish this season with all the troubles due to Greg Oden and Brandon Roy. To be able to not only make the postseason for three straight years in what is a very difficult conference is something to be proud of. I’m super happy at the year LaMarcus Aldridge had, when Roy went down with knee surgeries, we had to look for someone to step up and he did and I truly see him at next year’s All-Star Game as he carried this team on his back. The additions of Wesley Matthews and Gerald Wallace really really paid off and I look forward to seeing what they can do next season as they continue to gel with this team.
To Andre Miller and Marcus Camby: you guys are true warriors and I would hate to see you both leave us this summer. Miller is simply Iron Man himself and knows what it takes to win games. Camby is the man and I hope Oden takes note of what it takes to be a true center in this game.
And thanks to all my readers on this blog. I’ve really enjoyed writing for you guys to discuss and bring you facts and recaps on games and I hope you continue to follow me through many more seasons to go. Stay tuned throughout this summer on news during the offseason of the Draft, trades and other going ons. It may not be every single day but I will stay active here and bring you all the stuff you need to know. Stay tuned for some regular season grades and other posts.
See you in the fall and Go Trail Blazers!
-Nick
photos courtesy of nba.com/blazers
Nicholas Filipas