I miss Stevie and Juan
Jan. 17th, 2006 04:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neebsfrom washpost.com:
Michael Lee's NBA Insider
The wins have been hard to come by in Portland, so when a team gets almost a quarter of its wins this season in one week, it's cause for celebration. The Blazers improved to 13-24 after winning three in a row against the Lakers, Magic and Cavaliers. Beating the shorthanded Magic is not incredible feat, but Portland was able to withstand a 45-point barrage from Kobe Bryant in a 113-103 win and a 29-point onslaught from LeBron James in an 89-87 victory. Much of the success can be attributed to the play of former Washington Wizards guard Juan Dixon, who scored 52 points on 20 of 29 shooting (69 percent) in wins against the Lakers and Magic. Dixon had a near flawless outing against the Magic, shooting 10 of 13 from the field and buried two game-clinching jumpers in the finale minute.
"I live for those moments," Dixon told the Portland Oregonian. "I have confidence that I will make those shots, and I have confidence from the coach. He has my back by making calls for me down the stretch." Since he took over the starting shooting guard role Dec. 18 against Washington, Dixon has averaged 17.4 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds and has shot 47.4 percent from the field in 15 games. "He has become one of the guys we look to give the ball to if the game is close," Blazers Coach Nate McMillan told the paper. "He has been the guy who is able to finish, make that big bucket down the stretch." Dixon has been aided during the run by his former Maryland teammate Steve Blake, who has started the past 16 games at point guard for the Blazers. Blake has held on despite the return of Sebastian Telfair, Portland's top pick in 2004. Against the Magic, Blake hit four of five three pointers and finished with 17 points, six assists and one turnover.
Michael Lee's NBA Insider
The wins have been hard to come by in Portland, so when a team gets almost a quarter of its wins this season in one week, it's cause for celebration. The Blazers improved to 13-24 after winning three in a row against the Lakers, Magic and Cavaliers. Beating the shorthanded Magic is not incredible feat, but Portland was able to withstand a 45-point barrage from Kobe Bryant in a 113-103 win and a 29-point onslaught from LeBron James in an 89-87 victory. Much of the success can be attributed to the play of former Washington Wizards guard Juan Dixon, who scored 52 points on 20 of 29 shooting (69 percent) in wins against the Lakers and Magic. Dixon had a near flawless outing against the Magic, shooting 10 of 13 from the field and buried two game-clinching jumpers in the finale minute.
"I live for those moments," Dixon told the Portland Oregonian. "I have confidence that I will make those shots, and I have confidence from the coach. He has my back by making calls for me down the stretch." Since he took over the starting shooting guard role Dec. 18 against Washington, Dixon has averaged 17.4 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds and has shot 47.4 percent from the field in 15 games. "He has become one of the guys we look to give the ball to if the game is close," Blazers Coach Nate McMillan told the paper. "He has been the guy who is able to finish, make that big bucket down the stretch." Dixon has been aided during the run by his former Maryland teammate Steve Blake, who has started the past 16 games at point guard for the Blazers. Blake has held on despite the return of Sebastian Telfair, Portland's top pick in 2004. Against the Magic, Blake hit four of five three pointers and finished with 17 points, six assists and one turnover.
