Utah strikes up the band, rout Blazers
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Nicola batum shakes his head in disgust
in the first half/PRESSWIRE
in the first half/PRESSWIRE
April 18, 2012, 8:11 pm
After officially being eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the
week, Portland looked to avoid losing the season series with the Utah Jazz in their
final home game of the season.
Tonight was Fan Appreciation Night at the Rose Garden. Before tipoff, interim coach Kaleb Canales took center court to thank the fans for their support.
Coach Canales addresses the crowd before the game
Tonight was Fan Appreciation Night at the Rose Garden. Before tipoff, interim coach Kaleb Canales took center court to thank the fans for their support.
Coach Canales addresses the crowd before the game
The game started on an even keel with both teams trading buckets. But the Blazers went cold for about four minutes and missed eight straight baskets. The Blazers found their stroke towards the end of the quarter, and closed the gap to end the quarter down six, 26-20 .Wesley Matthews hit three three-point baskets and put in 11 total points in the first period. Devin Harris put in three three-pointers of his own and scored 14 points to lead the Jazz in the first period.
The second quarter belonged to the Jazz. The Blazers couldn't find an answer for Utah's offense. Devin Harris hit three more three-point buckets to give him a career high six three-point baskets in the first half. The Blazers went cold again in the second quarter, missing their final seven shots of the first half, and going into halftime down 18, 57-38. Devin Harris owned the first half, scoring 25 points. Gordon Hayward chipped in 13 points of his own for the Jazz. Wesley Matthews was the lone bright spot for the Blazers in the first half, but went scoreless in the second quarter.
The two teams played pretty even in the third quarter, but the Blazers could not find a way to make up their deficit, ending the third quarter down 21, 81-60.
The Blazers kept plugging away in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz would not be denied, as the Jazz went on to win easily, 112-91.
Devin Harris led all scorers with 27 points. Four other Utah players scored in double figures, including Gordon Hayward, who chipped in 23 points.
Wesley Matthews led the way for the Blazers with 21 points, and Nolan Smith scored a career-high for the second straight game, adding 16 points of his own.
The Blazers hit the road for the final three games of the season, and kick things off Saturday in Memphis. You can catch all the action here on 750AM The Game!
Tags: Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz
