In a highly contested matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Trail Blazers prevailed to win their 33rd game of the season.
Though 33 wins in an 82 game season isn’t exactly a major feat, it does tell of how far this team has come in one season. There are still 38 games left in the season, and Portland has managed to tie their total amount of wins from last year in half that time.
Blazers got their 33rd win tonight 115-104. They had 33 wins last season. It’s January 25th.
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) January 26, 2014
While they are expected to certainly win more than one game, it is interesting to note that an improvement over last season only needs to happen once between now and April. Fortunately for them, it seems that the disaster of their struggles last season are a thing of the past according to Portland head coach Terry Stotts.
Portland needs to go at least 1-37 down the stretch to surpass last year’s 33 wins. — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 26, 2014
“We put last year in the rearview mirror a long time ago.” Terry Stotts — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 26, 2014
This win comes over a Minnesota team that has struggled to reach .500, and that was coming off a road game the night before in which they defeated Golden State. Minnesotta was noticeably lethargic throughout the game, which lead to questions of the Timberwolves simply being tired in their loss. Not letting anyone take away from their win, second year player Thomas Robinson from Portland spoke to the media after the game.
Thomas Robinson on whether they sensed Minny’s tired legs: “We didn’t complain when they whooped us up there.”
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) January 26, 2014
LaMarcus Aldridge said match-up with Kevin Love was a “let down. … I felt a little tired, I could tell he was tired on the back-to-back.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 26, 2014
When asked about his thoughts on tonights game, Minnesota star Kevin Love also commented on his match-up against LaMarcus Aldridge.
“It’s kind of much ado about nothing. We both particularly didn’t have a great game.” Kevin Love on match-up with LaMarcus Aldridge
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 26, 2014
It should be noted that Kevin Love was announced as one of the starters for the Western Conference team for this years All Star Game. Love was voted into one of the three front court slots over Aldridge, who is having an exceptional season himself.
Portland and Minnesota will meet again in Portland on February 8th.
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