The "Thunder" rolls

March 18, 2012, 9:15 pm

Coming into the final game of the longest road trip of the season, and after winning an extremely emotional game against Chicago, the Blazers faced the best team in the west.
The first quarter belonged to Oklahoma City.  The Thunder outscored Portland 31-15.  Kevin Durant had 8 points in the opening frame.
After scoring only 15 points in the opening quarter, the Blazers got back to playing better basketball.  Wesley Matthews had 11 points, while Nolan Smith added a spark off the bench with 6 points.  Portland shot 65% in the 2nd quarter.  Going to the break, the Blazers trailed 57-42.

The third quarter saw Portland string together some hoops and chip away at the Thunder lead.  Portland got it within 12 on a Jamal Crawford 3.   Oklahoma City would extend the lead, just to give it back moments later on another Jamal tray.  Crawford scored 8 of the last 10 points for Portland in the 3rd.  Portland goes into the fourth down 14, 84-70.

The fourth quarter started with a big Blazers run.  Back to back hoops by Jamal Crawford and Luke Babbit brought the Oklahoma lead to 10 and Nolan Smith’s runner got Portland within 8.  It would be the closest the Blazers could get.  Oklahoma would extent the lead out to 15 points in the middle of the quarter and go on to win the game, 111-95.  Jamal Crawford led the Blazers with 23 points.  

The Blazers now return home will have 8 of the next 10 games at the Rose Garden.  Portland welcomes in the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.  You can catch all the action right here on 750 The Game.  Pregame at 6pm, tipoff at 7pm