SEATTLE – The Portland Path Blazers performed their first preseason recreation Friday evening at Local weather Pledge Area and misplaced 101-99 to the LA Clippers.
The Clippers’ profitable basket got here on an alley-oop dunk by Kai Jones off a go from Jordan Miller with 2.2 seconds on the clock. Blazers guard Dalana Banton missed a three-point try as time expired.
The thrilling ending added to the environment that felt extra like a playoff recreation. A lot of Seattle’s sports activities legends have been available to welcome the NBA’s return to Seattle, if just for one evening – for now.
Former Supersonics legends Sean Kemp, Gary Payton and Jamal Crawford have been in attendance. So have been a handful of well-known former Seahawks, together with coach Pete Carroll. Former Blazers star Brandon Roy of Seattle was additionally in attendance.
They have been all there to see the Blazers tackle the LA Clippers. One staff does not have a lot hope for the upcoming season, whereas the opposite may make the playoffs.
For the Blazers, the evening was about testing what they have been engaged on throughout coaching camp. Bounce and tempo have been on the prime of the checklist.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated his staff was just a little impatient to face an opponent after practically two weeks of coaching camp, which might have prevented the Blazers from taking part in their finest.
“I believed we struggled,” Billups stated. “I believed their physicality at the beginning of the match had an affect on us. We returned it early. And although we did not return it, we simply weren’t clear in any respect… Nevertheless it was good to get one out and again in.
The Blazers dedicated 9 turnovers within the first half and 17 for the sport, which the Clippers transformed into 23 factors.
The play of second-year guard Scoot Henderson and rookie heart Donovan Clingan will even be essential all through the season.
Los Angeles Clippers heart Ivica Zubac (40) shoots with Portland Path Blazers heart Donovan Clingan (23) on protection throughout the first half of an NBA preseason basketball recreation on Friday the eleventh October 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/John Froschauer)APP.A.
Henderson regarded so much just like the participant he was for many of final season when he struggled after being chosen with the No. 3 decide within the 2023 NBA Draft.
Henderson dedicated two turnovers within the first minute of the sport and completed the evening with seven turnovers in half-hour. He then scored 13 factors whereas taking pictures 4 of 16 from the sphere and 1 of 6 from three-point vary. Henderson additionally added three assists and three rebounds.
Rookie heart Donovan Clingan made his first shot, a three-pointer, instantly. He completed the sport with seven factors and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes. He backed up Deandre Ayton, who in 17 minutes had eight factors and 7 rebounds.
Jerami Grant scored 15 factors in simply 16 minutes. Toumani Camara led the Blazers with 19 factors. He shot 5 of 9 from the sphere and added 9 rebounds.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The Blazes misplaced Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) and Anfernee Simons (ankle soreness). That is a whole lot of offensive firepower to play with out. Moreover, striker Deni Avdija was absent for private causes.
The truth that the Blazers had an opportunity to win says so much about the remainder of the roster.
Kris Murray began at guard and scored 9 factors on 4-of-7 taking pictures.
Portland Path Blazers ahead Toumani Camara (33) battles towards Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kai Jones (23) throughout the second half of an NBA preseason basketball recreation on Friday the eleventh October 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photograph/John Froschauer)APP.A.
THE TRACKS
The Blazers wish to play sooner this season than in 2023-24, once they ranked twenty first with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes. On Friday, the Blazers had a tempo of 102.2.
“Not nice, however I believed their full-court stress had an affect on that,” Billups stated. “After which additionally, their offensive rebounds actually harm us.”
The Clippers transformed 10 offensive rebounds into 17 second likelihood factors. General, Portland outscored the Clippers 47-43.
FOLLOWING
The Blazers will play their second preseason recreation at 3 p.m. on Sunday on the Sacramento Kings.
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
