LaMarcus Aldridge powers Portland Trail Blazers to an 89-85 win over Orlando Magic
LaMarcus Aldridge registered 24 points as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Orlando Magic, 89-85, on Monday night at Amway Center and extended their winning streak to three games.
The Magic played the game in the absence of Dwight Howard, who was serving a one-game suspension after being slapped with his 16th technical foul of the season in an 89-81 loss to the Chicago Bulls, two nights ago.
Aldridge however said that absence of Howard made the matters more complicated for Portland as it was not easy to handle the Magic guards who were spread around.
"At least with (Howard) I can guard a guy that is going to be in the paint. Without him out there, I am guarding guards and a whole bunch of shooters and it wasn't easy for me at all,” Aldridge said.
Andre Miller also added 15 points for the Trail Blazers while Wesley Matthews chipped in with 13 points in the victory.
For the Magic, Jason Richardson took over in Howard’s absence and led Orlando with 22 points in the defeat. Ryan Anderson and Hedo Turkoglu also posted 13 points each for the Magic, who lost their second consecutive game.
The difference between the two teams on the night was the Magic turnovers. Magic point guards Jameer Nelson and Gilbert Arenas combined for 11 of the total 19 turnovers while Portland committed only nine.
The Magic coach Stan Van Gundy admitted that the turnovers played major role in the defeat.
"We didn't lose that game because Dwight Howard didn't play. We lost because we had 19 turnovers and they had nine. We have to take accountability for that, all of us. I mean the difference in the game was 19 turnovers to nine."
A major reason the Blazers looked so impressive in Orlando was their tremendous ball movement and their ability to knock down shots. Collectively they had 21 assists and shot 47 percent from the field. In addition to that, the Trail Blazers also beat the Magic on the glass. Portland played some hard defence and forced Orlando into difficult shots all night. After edging past the Magic 24-19 in the first quarter, the Trail Blazers faced some stiff challenge from the Magic in the second. They however managed to hold to a 47-43 advantage, going into the locker room.
The dog fight ensued in after the break. Both teams played the third quarter at crisp pace and added 23 points each as Portland managed to take a 70-66 lead heading into the final stanza.
The Magic fought hard during the fourth quarter to cut down the deficit and did well to remain within striking distance throughout the frame. However, every time they managed to get anywhere close, the Trail Blazer always seemed prepared with a counter-punch. With less than six minutes to go, Aldridge drove for two straight baskets, stretching the lead to six points. Orlando, on the other hand, never again got within one point of tying the contest.
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