The Portland Trail Blazers strolled into the Moda Center on Thursday night fresh off a win over the Phoenix Suns and ready to build a winning streak against the 4-22 Washington Wizards. The Wizards have been powerless against most opponents this season. However, it turns out that if you let a running team run, are forced to push inside and can't return to the arc, and generally play defense like it's optional, you'll lose.
Several Blazers had good games. Jerami Grant scored 20, Deandre Ayton 23 and Anfernee Simons 41, including 22 in the fourth period alone, to lead his team back from an 18-point deficit. Portland's bench did its part and made up for the starters' mistakes on defense. But despite the work of the passed pawns from the reserves and the brilliant rally, the Blazers ended up one play behind and left Washington with a 118-117 victory.
That's how the game went.
First quarter
The evening started off difficult for the home team. Two Blazers turnovers helped the Wizards score 7 points in the first 90 seconds to zero for Portland. The Blazers seemed stuck on the perimeter, throwing screens to everyone from point guards to power forwards. These usually led to missed throws. A three-pointer from Malcolm Brogdon fell. Portland also scored on a couple of Washington misses. But that was no match for Washington's fast-paced, perimeter-based offense. With 7:28 left in the first intermission, the Wizards led 17-7.
The story didn't get any better as Portland kept making deep attempts and then missing every shot they got in the lane. The first resulted in long rebounds, the second left several Blazers in the air. Both led to quick break opportunities, easy results for a team that needed them. Washington built a 28-15 lead before Portland's second unit — which may not have been as upbeat on offense and was certainly more grounded defensively — stopped the flow.
The bench team pushing Washington outside and limiting Portland's own mistakes helped close the game somewhat. The Wizards led 33-24 after one.
Second quarter
Jerami Grant started the second period and controlled the ball. He took three of Portland's first five attempts, hitting them all and also drawing a foul for two free throws. The whole goal looked good in theory, but Washington hit five of its first six shots against Portland's permissive defense, including a three-pointer, to maintain its lead.
Portland continued to work through Grant up the middle, with an assist to Deandre Ayton's offensive rebound as the middle of the quarter approached. It was a great offensive shift, a contrast to their opening approach. Things finally started to buzz for her at the end of the court.
Coach Billups was also smart and didn't reinstate his starters en masse. Matisse Thybulle and Jabari Walker helped solidify the defense by preventing Washington from making easy passes over the screens, in addition to better protecting the arc. The Blazers couldn't close the gap, but they kept it from getting bigger.
Duop Reath also played a few good minutes in the second half. He hit a three-pointer and his agility on defense helped counteract Washington's speed.
But at some point the starting eleven came together again. No matter how they scored, the defense just wasn't good enough to make their transition effective. Grant did his best, kept firing and scoring, but a single scorer just wasn't enough to make the breakthrough.
The Wizards led 67-54 at halftime. Portland retreated to the locker room for a pep talk and some strategy updates, all in an attempt to turn the game around again.
Third quarter
Malcolm Brogdon had a lucky jump from the bracket with a short jumper to start the second half, followed by Anfernee Simons with a floater in the lane. It looked like Portland was cooking. But Daniel Gafford scored right at the cup, followed by a sixth pick from Jordan Poole that made up for it all in about ten seconds and in real time.
When Portland wanted to fight back, they had a funny way of showing it. Missed shots and ball losses from medium distance were followed by exploits right on the edge by Gafford and Co., which were almost similar to the first third. Washington led 18, 80-62, when the Blazers called a timeout with 7:42 left in the third.
Once again, the second unit applied a tourniquet to the open wound that was the starters' defense. They forced their way upfield and forced the Wizards outside, running with all their might on the ensuing missed throws. Duop Reath, Scoot Henderson and Jabari Walker provided the energy and a few passes that the first unit didn't have. Oddly enough, pooling the energy of the young and broken wizards was enough to achieve their production.
The bench team managed to chip away at 7 points from Washington's 18-point lead at the 3:30 mark, making the score 88-77. The last three minutes of the game were to decide whether it was a game or a disaster.
The verdict on this remained essentially neutral. Grant hit a three-pointer on a broken play and the active defense forced a 24-second Washington violation. But Danilo Gallinari hit a standstill three-pointer and then Henderson dribbled into a shot-clock violation for Portland.
After these ups and downs, Portland still trailed 93-80 heading into game four.
Fourth quarter
Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons each scored three points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to single digits within the first minute and a half. Then an alley-oop from Simons to Deandre Ayton came through after a high-screen set, followed by two free throws for Ayton after another drive. It was just as much enthusiasm and concentrated effort as the starters had shown all evening. The score was 99-92 Washington with 9:00 left.
But just when you thought it was safe to take the hardwood, Tyus Jones hit Kyle Kuzma for an alley-oop after a turnover, and then Jones hit a triple-off after a Kuzma double-team. In doing so, Washington once again led by 12 points.
Anfernee Simons continued to score, but the Wizards persisted in driving the ball inside despite mismatches caused by Portland switches. Foul shots kept Washington away from Portland in the critical middle minutes of the period when the Blazers needed to make a crucial run.
When Jones hit another three-pointer with 6:37 left, Portland called a timeout. Washington led 108-94.
Anfernee Simons hit a three-pointer on the next possession, but Jones struck again right after. Then the Blazers got a breakaway after a Thybulle steal, followed by an Ayton rebound and a putback. That cut the lead to 110-103 with 4:51 left, leading to the first Washington “uh oh” timeout of the night.
After Jones missed a layup, Simons hit another three-pointer from the left diagonal, leading to his 14th point of the half. Immediately after he pinched the ball with both hands on his 15th and 16th shots in a run out after a Wizards miss. The score was 110-108 Washington with 3:57 left. “Uh oh” became “Oh [unprintable word]“, as the Wizards called another timeout.
A Brogdon runner on a broken play cut the lead to two shortly afterwards. Jordan Poole flopped on the play and was whistled for a technical error. The leadership went to one. The scoreboard read 112-111, Wizards.
Kuzma defended Simons on a missed shot on the next possession. Simons returned the favor on the other end (just) but an offensive rebound gave Washington the game-winning goal they needed. When Simons hit a three-pointer on the next possession, the roof of the building blew off. Score is tied.
Kuzma scored with a shot of his own on the other side, making the score 116-114 for Washington. Ayton had the same chance for Portland, but missed both close-ups. After a missed shot by Kuzma, Grant charged hard and, along with free throws, caused Gafford's sixth foul. He made one of two goals, making the game 116-115 with 31 seconds left. With incredible luck, Ayton got the rebound and threw it to Simons. In a fit of agony, Simons missed the easiest layup he had all quarter and was unable to put his team ahead.
Kuzma made one of two free throws on the next possession, leaving his team ahead 2, 117-115. But Portland couldn't stop the rebound. Kuzma was fouled on a tip-in attempt, but again hit just 1 of 2. With 12.1 seconds left, Portland trailed 118-115.
After a timeout, the Wizards opted not to foul Simons on the drive. His dunk brought the Blazers back within 118-117. There were 7.6 seconds left.
Typical of the chaotic, razor-thin nature of the quarter, Thybulle appeared to strip Jordan Poole on the ensuing inbounds play, but was whistled for a foul. The Blazers disputed the call. It was overturned, leading to a jump ball between those involved.
Thybulle won the tip, after which Portland called its final timeout. Trailing by just 1 with 5.8 seconds left, it was unlikely they had one last chance to secure the win.
As it turned out, Jerami Grant, not Simons, took the final play. He dribbled down the left side of the lane but was well defended. His looping hook layup sailed over the rim to the opposite side of the board, leaving Portland just one point shy of victory.
Next
Stay tuned for the in-depth analysis of the game coming soon!
Box score
The Blazers travel south to take on the Golden State Warriors in the Pacific on Saturday morning at 5:30 p.m.
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