BLAZERS GRADED: Atlanta 105, Portland 99

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Friday, January 30, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

For the second time in as many games, LaMarcus Aldridge was a monster. 

And for the second time in as many games, he just didn't get enough help.

In Atlanta, Friday, Aldridge piled up 37 points and 11 boards. But the Hawks edged ahead by diversifying their options. As the Hawks announcer put it, "there's a different hero every night."

It should be noted, though, that falling to the Hawks is no longer something to be ashamed of. Atlanta's triumph Friday accounted for their 18th in a franchise-best winning-streak.

And it's not as if the Blazers didn't have their chances down the stretch of this closely contested contest. They just couldn't make the shots they needed. Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews both missed three's in the final minute that could've made it a one-possession game.

Those misses are the game in a nut-shell--Aldridge was great, his fellow wingmen, not so much.

The Blazers have no time to think it over, though. They travel immediately to Milwaukee, where they play the Bucks Saturday.

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LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE: A
Again, Aldridge was marvelous. A rock. A scoring machine, who made 15-of-24 attempts from the field, 2-of-3 from downtown to go along with 11 rebounds. His performance was impeccable.

NICOLAS BATUM: D+
Sporting a bigger brace/sleeve on his injured wrist, Batum is still struggling. As Hawks color commentator Domique Wilkins put it: "Batum just can't make a shot." Wilkins wasn't wrong.

CHRIS KAMAN: C-
He banged around underneath, but didn't really turn the tables either way.

DAMIAN LILLARD: D
While one might of figured that being left off the All-Star team would've brought out Lillard's most killer of instincts, it was not the case, Friday. His shooting struggles continued--perhaps dipping as low as they've been. Lillard made just 6-of-20 from the field, and a stinging 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also did not manage to get to the line. His shooting struggles should not overshadow the 11 assists he dished out, but clearly Lillard is in a bit of a funk. He's either pressing, tired, or perhaps the ball just won't fall.

WESLEY MATTHEWS: C-
While Matthews was able to at least get to the line, his shot's been off as well. He made just 4-of-13, Friday, and 3-of-9 from. Of the three Blazers shooters in the starting lineup, Portland needs at least one of them to come alive ASAP.

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