March 3 - March 9, 2013Portland currently sits 2.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff seed with 21 games still to play. Should their pick be #12 or better, they will keep it. If not, Charlotte will receive it.
Blazers Annihilate Lowly Bobcats3/4/2013 - Bobcats 83 @ Trail Blazers 112
Behind huge games from Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson, Portland dominated Charlotte from start to finish en route to a 29 point win. Charlotte improves their lottery fortunes while Portland continues to push towards mediocrity.
CHA 39 18 10 16 | 83 [15-46] - K. Walker: 25 pts, 7 asts, 5 rebs; B. Gordon: 29 pts, 11-20 FG
POR 33 21 29 29 | 112 [28-31] - Batum: 25 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts; Hickson: 23 pts, 12 rebs; Lillard: 21 pts
Aldridge Overcomes Foul Trouble To Lead Portland To Surprise Win3/6/2013 - Trail Blazers 87 @ Grizzlies 84
LaMarcus Aldridge picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter, and few expected the inconsistent Blazers to be competitive in Memphis. However, thanks to Wesley Matthews' hot shooting and some great Blazers D, Portland eked out a 40-38 lead at the half.
LaMarcus Aldridge returned in the third quarter to score 14 of his game-high 23 points. The Blazers looked to pull away early in the fourth, with Marc Gasol fouling out and the Grizzlies' defense stagnating. A timeout and some timely baskets got the home team back in the game, finding themselves down 85-84 with 15 seconds and the ball. Memphis got two tries at a shot to take the lead but no luck.
Damian Lillard sank a pair of free throws to increase the lead to three and Mike Conley airballed a three to try and send it to overtime. The Grizzlies fall to 39-20 while Portland keeps their playoff hopes alive at 28-31.
POR 23 17 27 20 | 87 [29-31] - Aldridge: 23 pts, 9-15 FG, 23 minutes; Lillard: 13 pts, 11 asts, 6 rebs; Matthews: 21 pts, 3-6 3pt
MEM 19 19 23 23 | 84 [39-20] - Z. Randolph: 21 pts, 15 rebs; Conley: 14 pts, 8 asts, 7 rebs; M. Gasol: 12 pts, 5 rebs, 6 fouls
Spurs Outduel Blazers In Fourth3/8/2013 - Trail Blazers 84 @ Spurs 92
None of the Spurs' big three had huge games but thanks to solid defense and clutch execution, they defeated the Blazers 92-84. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard had solid games with 22 and 15 points respectively, but the team was held to just 39% shooting from the field.
POR 21 22 24 17 | 84 [29-32] - Lillard: 15/7/8; Aldridge: 22/9/0; Hickson: 10/7/2 blks, 4-6 FG
SA 24 28 25 25 | 92 [49-14] - Parker: 16/2/7; Duncan: 14/12/3; Ginobili: 15/5/6
NBA HEADLINESSTAYING.With the contract extension deadline looming, several teams have locked up their noteworthy stars. Borderline all-stars Al Jefferson and Josh Smith headline the pack.
Jazz sign Al Jefferson to 4 yr, $48M extensionGood value for one of the league's best big man, but what happens to Favors and Kanter?
Hawks sign Josh Smith to 4 yr, $48M extensionAfter demanding a max deal and nearly being traded, Smith accepted a very reasonable deal to stay in Atlanta.
Hawks sign Devin Harris to 4 yr, $14M extensionDevin Harris has been solid this year at the 2 for Atlanta but 4 years?
Bucks sign Monta Ellis to 4 yr, $34M extensionMilwaukee gets an amazing value for the inefficient but talented scorer.
Pistons sign Jose Calderon to 4 yr, $28M extensionThe Pistons Invest long-term in Jose Calderon's veteran leadership and steady play at the point.
David Lee Out For Season With Broken ArmTough break for Golden State, who are struggling to stay in the playoff picture.
DeAndre Jordan Out For Season With Broken BackDeAndre Jordan will miss the rest of the season and playoffs with a broken back, leaving a hole at center for the Clippers.
Danilo Gallinari Out For Remainder of Regular Season With Broken AnkleGallinari suffered a severe ankle sprain and isn't expected to return until the playoffs.
ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS1 San Antonio 49-14
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6 Utah 35-28
7 Golden State 35-29
8 Houston 33-31
LA Lakers 31-32
Portland 29-32Dallas 29-32