Nothing goes for the Blazers… After the rumors of the offseason, the bad start on the field and the dismissal of their GM, Portland is currently in the worst negative streak of its season, defeated last night by Minnesota for a fifth loss immediately (116-111).
However, at the Moda Center against Wolves who had not won in eight appearances, the Blazers seemed favorites to win with the cumulative returns of Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. But, in vain, because it is indeed Minnesota which dominated the debates almost from start to finish.
Portland will have a burst of pride in the second half, taking control at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to the good address of Ben McLemore (15 points in 15 minutes, 5/6 to 3-points) or the best game of her season of Anfernee Simons (26 points). But Anthony Edwards (24 points) and D’Angelo Russell (18 points) will get the better of Blazers who are still mentally crumbly in the crunch.
On five defeats in a row, Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Wolves therefore resume their march forward, leaving the Blazers permanently at a standstill.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Damian Lillard’s return hasn’t changed anything. In the grip of abdominal pain for several weeks, but in truth for several seasons, Damian Lillard has missed the last five games of his team. If he finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, he could not prevent the Blazers’ fifth straight loss, with a tiny 5/17 on shots including 3/14 at 3-point and 5 stray balls. . In the same vein, the return of Anfernee Simons after three games missed due to an ankle injury did not allow Portland to break its black series, and this despite 26 points from the young back (season record) .
— Chauncey Billups tries things. Without injured CJ McCollum, and with a Robert Covington in the midst of a crisis (but who still played 34 minutes), the coach made two changes to his five major, with Nassir Little and Larry Nance Jr. promoted to starters. The energy of the former and the experience of the latter have been generally beneficial to the Blazers. But, more than that, Chauncey Billups also sent Trendon rookie Watford to the fire to try new things.
— Wolves end strong. Karl-Anthony Towns was talking about it before the game: he’s tired of losing in Portland. On an 8-game losing streak at the Moda Center, Minnesota found the loophole last night. However, the troops of Chris Finch were led by 7 points with less than 8 minutes from the end. But the duo Edwards – Russell, 17 points in aggregate, made the trade in the last quarter.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anthony Edwards. More than KAT in double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds but 5 lost balls) or D’Angelo Russell a tad clumsy (18 points to 5/12), it was Anthony Edwards who was the cleanest of the three players. majors of Minnesota. With 24 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, 7/13 on shots, the spectacular sophomore was also decisive with 9 of his 24 units registered in the last quarter.
✅ Anfernee Simons. Back in business after a three game absence due to a damaged ankle, Anfernee Simons was very good last night. Truth be told, he simply had his best game of the season, finishing 26 points to 9/20 on shots including 6/12 on 3-pointers. The kind of prolific match behind the arc that his friend Lillard was a regular at in recent seasons …
✅ ⛔ Damian Lillard. Author of a double-double at 24 points and 11 rebounds, plus 6 assists, the leader was active for his return to the game. But his shooting skills did not reappear miraculously either. At 5/17 on shots including 3/14 at 3-pointers, “Dame Time” was knocked out by D’Angelo Russell at the end of the match, while the Wolves leader returned two decisive 3-points… Damian Lillard is therefore continuing his Stations of the Cross this season, with his worst skill percentages in his career, nothing less!
THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota (12-15) : trip to Denver to complete a short “road trip” overnight from Wednesday to Thursday (3:00 am).
Portland (11-16) : second home game in a series of four in a row, with the reception of the Suns on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (04:00).
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