THE Portland Trail Blazers lost on the road to the New Orleans Pelicans 126-107 on Saturday. Despite the loss, the game featured another strong performance from Portland’s mid-season acquisition Dalano Banton.
The 6-foot-8 guard had 28 points on 10-20 shooting, six assists and five rebounds (although he had five turnovers, a team-wide issue Saturday night). Banton exploited New Orleans with his usual runs, but he also shot a more than serviceable 4-8 from three-point range. The mixed offense allowed Banton to come within just two points of tying his NBA career scoring record.
After the game, Banton discussed his performance with the media in the locker room.
You can watch the full interview here or in the embed below.
Here are some key quotes from his availability.
On his game and his state of mind:
I’m just playing with which coach Chauncey [Billups] preaches to us – get into the paint, make the right read, just try to do it. It was working for me and they told me to keep attacking.
…Being able to make a mistake and try again is very important to all of us, being a very young group. Just game by game, trying to get more comfortable, trying to get better.
On what improving three-point shooting could mean for his game:
I just open up the floor for my teammates and be more of a threat outside the three-point line. Guys have to go through my screens, chase me through the screens.
… Being chased off screens definitely makes you go down a lot more, which is my main strength. This will open up lobs and takedowns for the other guys.
The Blazers have one day off before traveling to Chicago to face the Bulls on Monday, March 18 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.
