Roy, Aldridge lead rout of Spurs

Popovich: "Blazers played a hell of a game'

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Mar 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

SAM FORENCICH / GETTY IMAGES

LaMarcus Aldridge goes up for an easy shot behind Tony Parker and the San Antonio defense.

If there were a half Nate McMillan would like to bottle and bring out in time of need, it was Sunday’s first half at the Rose Garden.

McMillan’s Trail Blazers put it all together in running up a 64-37 lead after 24 minutes on their way to a 102-84 victory over San Antonio.

Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points apiece as Portland (37-22) moved to within 2 1/2 games of San Antonio (39-19) in the bunched-up race for the Western Conference playoffs.

The Blazers, who have won two of three against the Spurs this season, avenged a 98-84 loss at San Antonio on Wednesday. The foundation of Sunday’s win came through a first half suitable for framing. Portland shot .610 from the field and .625 (5 for 8) from 3-point range, outrebounded the Spurs 22-17 and committed only four turnovers in the half.

“We did all the things we need to do,” McMillan said. “We played a physical game defensively, did a better job controlling the paint. And offensively, we had good ball movement as opposed to one pass, a shot as we saw (on Wednesday). Just a great first half.”

Aldridge (21) and Roy (17) were on fire in the first half, combining for 38 points to outscore the Spurs by themselves in the half. Aldridge finished the game 10 for 14 from the field while Roy was 11 for 17 – a strict departure from the last game between the teams, when he struggled to a 5-for-18 shooting performance.

The Spurs “guarded me a certain way in San Antonio and I wasn’t able to make the shots,” Roy said. “I was upset with myself. I felt they were shots I usually make.

“Tonight, I was ready to make that shot. I didn’t make any adjustments; I just concentrated a little more on the shot. ... and LaMarcus did a good job of bringing in the rest of the guys and following (Roy’s lead).”

Roy scored eight of Portland’s first 10 points and had 10 points in the first 5 1/2 minutes. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich then inserted his stopper, Bruce Bowen, to defend Roy, but it didn’t make much difference.

Portland extended a 26-19 lead late in the first quarter to 46-21 with a 20-2 run – including 15-0 – as the Spurs went through a stretch where they missed 12 of 13 shots.

San Antonio closed to within 80-58 after three quarters, but the Blazers opened the final period with a Channing Frye jump shot and a Roy 3-pointer, and it was over.

The Spurs “have been handling us pretty well since I’ve been in the NBA,” said Roy, in his third year in the league. “We didn’t want to get too comfortable. The Spurs usually keep the game pretty close and make a run late. We said, ‘Let’s not stay at 10; let’s go up 20.’

“It was important that we attack them and make them play early in the game and not just save it to the end. We wanted to just keep trying to push (the lead) up, and we did that. And the guys did a great job of coming off the bench and being ready.”

Popovich was disgusted with what he saw from his troops Sunday, but paid homage to the victors.

“The Blazers played a hell of a game,” the veteran San Antonio mentor said. “They came out aggressively and physically, and on top of that they made shots, executed well and got us back on our heels. They kicked our butts in the first half and then they just coasted to the win. They were great in every way and did us in.”

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