Tag: Portland Trail Blazers

Chauncey Billups still sees potential star in Houston’s Jalen Green

“I think he’s gonna be just fine,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups says of slumping Rockets guard Jalen Green. “He’s definitely got a chance to be a star.”

When compared to his first two NBA seasons, 2023-24 is a statistical step back for third-year Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green.

After posting a team-high 22.1 points per game last season on 41.7% shooting and 33.8% from 3-point range, those numbers have dipped to 17.1 points on 39.7% shooting (32.0% on 3-pointers) this year.

But there are some extenuating circumstances. For starters, there’s a new coach, Ime Udoka, and a new system.

Beyond that, in Green’s first two NBA seasons, the Rockets went 20-62 and 22-60, respectively. This year, Houston (20-22) has become competitive. With that jump comes higher expectations and a new reality, such as Udoka occasionally keeping Green out of his closing lineup — should the 21-year-old be having a bad night.

The Portland Trail Blazers, who faced Green and the Rockets on Wednesday night in Houston, have their own example of a young shooting guard who didn’t break out until his fourth NBA season.

Over his first three NBA seasons, Anfernee Simons averaged 7.5 points per game. Starting with Season 4, however, Simons has bumped that to an average of approximately 20 points per game on strong efficiency (44.1% FG, 38.9% on 3-pointers), and he’s averaging a career-high 22.5 points and 4.8 assists this season.

Chauncey Billups, a former guard who didn’t fully hit his stride until landing on his fifth NBA team in Detroit, coaches Simons with the Trail Blazers. In pregame comments to reporters from Toyota Center, Billups made it clear he’s still a believer in what Green can do with the Rockets, and he still sees a path to stardom for the No. 2 pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft.

Here’s what Billups told Rockets Wire of Green’s future:

I just think that Jalen kid is uber-talented. He’s uber-aggressive out there.

It takes guards a lot more time. I would say point guards, more, but even in his position, as a two guard. Because when you get to this league, for the first time, you’re playing against players that are better than you. You’ve been the best on your team since you’ve been playing, but then you get here, and you’ve got to find a way to try to do that again. But you’ve also got teammates that are trying to prove things, too. So, it can’t just be about you. You’ve got to learn how to sacrifice, and learn how to be in that space.

In this case, he went through a change with the coach, and now he’s learning that system and learning how to play with some of those veterans. I think he’s gonna be just fine. He’s definitely got a chance to be a star.

With Green and Simons facing each other, the tip between the Rockets and Trail Blazers (12-31) is 7 p.m. Central.

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6 incidents that had NBA coaches fuming over referees this season, including Steve Kerr’s Nuggets rant

NBA coaches seem a lot angrier than usual with referees this year.

The NBA has an officiating problem. That is, at least, if you listen to many of the head coaches around the association this season.

In a year that should be defined by stories like the Denver Nuggets’ pursuit of back-to-back championships, the rise of the young Oklahoma City Thunder, and Joel Embiid’s title pursuit with the Philadelphia 76ers, it feels like there’s a coach raging about skewed officiating seemingly every other night. Unfortunately, such a saga will often take precedence over more compelling on-court stories about some of the league’s better teams and brighter stars.

We’re over halfway into this NBA regular season, and we’ve already got more than a few doozies where coaches publicly ripped referees. Let’s take a look at some of the more high-profile incidents (so far).

Could former Boston big man Robert Williams III be moved before the 2024 NBA trade deadline?

Robert Williams III could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, according to recent reporting.

Former Boston Celtics big man Robert Williams III could be moved ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline, according to recent reporting from Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. On a recent episode of his “This League Uncut” podcast, Haynes related via MassLive’s Brian Robb that there “are some teams that are pondering making a move for Robert Williams.”

“Now, I know Robert Williams is out for the season,” related the B/R reporter. Even so, Haynes relates that the LSU alum is a player “teams feel … would be somebody that could get on the cheap right now and allow him to continue recovering”.

Those clubs may do so “in hopes that he can blossom back into the Robert Williams that we’ve seen when he was playing at a high level” with Boston as a sort of “pre-agency.”

The idea that Timelord’s current status as damaged goods might be a way to get the Louisiana native more cheaply is not without risk, though, should Williams’ extensive injury history continue to prove chronic.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Trail Blazers protest Thunder’s 111-109 win following Chauncey Billups’ ejection

Trail Blazers to protest Thunder’s 111-109 win following Chauncey Billups’ controversial ejection.

The final few possessions of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 111-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers featured mayhem.

With 30 seconds left, Anfernee Simons hit a highly difficult 3-pointer to give the Trail Blazers a three-point lead. OKC responded on the next possession: Jalen Williams cut the deficit to one point.

After Brogdon was called for a double dribble with 15 seconds left, Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups lost his cool and charged the officials, earning himself two technicals and an automatic ejection.

The costly sequence resulted in two free-throw attempts and possession for the Thunder. It served as a death knell for Portland’s upset aspirations.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander split the free-throw attempts, but Williams hit the game-winner on the ensuing possession after working to get to his spot on the left elbow side to nail a fadeaway jumper.

After the game, head official Bill Kennedy explained Billups received two technicals because of physical contact with a referee and his reaction to the first technical.

“The first technical foul was issued due to contact while Chauncey was trying to express himself to the official,” Kennedy explained in a pool report. “He makes contact with the official two times, and the result is a technical foul.

“The second technical foul was assessed due to the fact that Chauncey aggressively now tries to follow and pursue the official after the first technical foul was assessed.”

After the game, Billups said he was upset because he tried to call a timeout when Brogdon was trapped before his costly turnover.

“We’ve got timeouts,” Billups said. “Referees usually are prepared for that, you know, that instance, that situation. I’m at half court, trying to call a timeout. It’s just frustrating. My guys played too hard for that. It’s a frustrating play.”

The Trail Blazers will reportedly protest the result due to Billups’ ejection resulting in two free throws and possession for the Thunder.

Per the NBA rules, a team must file a protest within 48 hours of the final result. Both the Thunder and Trail Blazers have five days to submit their evidence. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has five additional days to issue a ruling.

This was Portland’s best outing yet against OKC this season. Following two blowout losses that included a 62-point defeat, the Trail Blazers nearly pulled off the upset against the Thunder.

“They blew us out (by) 62 a week-and-a-half ago,” Billups said. “We said ‘Listen, either you’re going to roll or get rolled on.’ That’s how this game works. Our guys, they rolled today. They played really good, they shared the ball, defensively I thought we did a really good job, we made them earn everything.”

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NBA Twitter reacts to Jalen Williams’ game-winner over Trail Blazers

NBA Twitter reacts to Jalen Williams’ game-winner over the Trail Blazers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder avoided the upset when they escaped with a 111-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

With 15 seconds left, Jalen Williams managed to work to the left elbow and hit a fadeaway jumper for the game-winner. The Trail Blazers attempted a sideline lob that failed on the final possession.

It was a struggle for Williams, by his standards, with 19 points on 9-of-20 shooting, but he turned it up in the fourth quarter with eight points to lead OKC to the win. This included hitting two of his four baskets in the final frame in the final 25 seconds.

Let’s look at some of the best tweets reacting to Williams’ game-winner over the Trail Blazers.

PHOTOS: Best images from Thunder’s 111-109 win over Trail Blazers

The best photos from the Thunder’s 111-109 win over the Trail Blazers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder avoided the upset when they escaped with a 111-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

With 15 seconds left, Jalen Williams managed to work to the left elbow and hit a fadeaway jumper for the game-winner. The Trail Blazers attempted a sideline lob that failed on the final possession.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points and 10 assists. Williams finished with 19 points and four rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers were led by Scoot Henderson, who had 19 points and seven assists off the bench. Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon each had 18 points.

Let’s look at some of the best photos from the Thunder’s two-point win over the Trail Blazers.

Player grades: Jalen Williams’ game-winner lifts Thunder past Trail Blazers, 111-109

Player grades for the Thunder’s 111-109 win over the Trail Blazers.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dribbling to the left elbow, Jalen Williams hopped for a fadeaway jumper that swished in. The second-year forward celebrated the eventual game-winner to give OKC a two-point lead with two seconds left.

Needing a miracle, Malcolm Brogdon instead turned it over on the final possession as he tried to throw a sidelines lob to Deandre Ayton. The Oklahoma City Thunder avoided the upset in their 111-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

“I didn’t think we had (effort and energy) in the first half for whatever reason, but the guys did a good job at trying to work ourselves into the game and we found that in the second half and got tough,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said on the win.

After the first quarter, it looked like this third matchup between both teams would play out the same way the first two did — with a Thunder blowout win. OKC built a 38-28 lead and led by as many as 13 points in the first frame.

But a 38-point second quarter by Portland flipped the score as it entered halftime with a 66-58 advantage. Suddenly, the Thunder were in a dog fight.

Coming out of halftime, the Thunder utilized a 30-point third quarter to enter the final frame with an 88-86 lead. Both teams continued to exchange points from that point forward in the final 12 minutes.

With 30 seconds left, Anfernee Simons hit a highly difficult 3-pointer to give the Trail Blazers a three-point lead. OKC quickly responded as Williams pulled it within one point on the next possession before pandemonium unfolded.

After Brogdon was called for a double dribble with 15 seconds left, Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups lost his cool and charged after the officials for the critical call, earning himself two technicals and an automatic ejection.

After the game, head official Bill Kennedy explained Billups received two technicals because of physical contact with a referee and his reaction to the first technical. Billups said he was upset because he tried to call a timeout when Brogdon was trapped before his turnover.

It was reported by ESPN that the Trail Blazers will protest the result due to Billups’ ejection resulting in two free throws and possession for the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander split the technical free throws, which meant both teams had 109 apiece with 15 seconds left. OKC had possession and Williams hit the aforementioned self-created jumper.

“We have a group of guys that work super hard and it makes it easy to trust them,” Gilgeous-Alexander on his teammates scoring clutch buckets. “They’re guys that work hard and at the end of the day, win and be the best version of themselves.”

What did Daigneault see on the game-winning basket by Williams? Utilizing Gilgeous-Alexander’s gravity to see up their second-best scorer.

“Just a last-shot situation,” Daigneault said on Williams’ game-winner. “Knew that Shai would draw a lot of attention on kinda a false action there. He had just made one before that and decided to go to him… I thought he was really engaged in the game, so that’s why I went to him.”

A failed lob attempt ended the contest and the final buzzer sounded. It was a  successful avoidance of a bad loss to the Trail Blazers thanks to a chaotic final few possessions.

The Thunder shot 48% from the field and went 7-of-23 (30.4%) from 3. OKC also shot an uncharacteristically 18-fo-28 from the free-throw line that highlighted the off night it endured.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 33 points and 10 assists. Williams scored 19 points. Chet Holmgren had eight points and six blocks.

Meanwhile, this was the best outing yet for the Trail Blazers against OKC. Portland shot 43% from the field and went 18-of-39 (46.2%) from 3. Six players scored double-digit points for the Trail Blazers.

Jerami Grant had 18 points and five rebounds. Brogdon collected 18 points and seven assists. Simons scored 17 points and had five assists. Jabari Walker collected a 14-point and 13-rebound double-double.

Off the bench, Scoot Henderson had his best outing against OKC yet. The 2023 No. 3 pick totaled 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting, seven assists and four rebounds.

This was an important win for the Thunder. If OKC is going to keep pace for the top seed, then it needs to collect wins over the worst teams in the league. It took more work than most anticipated, but it avoided a large upset.

“They have respect for those players, they know who those players are,” Daigneault said. “We knew we were gonna have a tough opponent tonight. We didn’t come in expecting an easy game and it wasn’t.”

The Thunder will now look to sweep this home-and-road back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. It’ll be another similar test where OKC enters as heavy favorites.

Let’s look at Thunder player grades.

Trail Blazers at Rockets, Jan. 24: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jeff Green are all expected to return from recent injuries when Houston hosts Portland on Wednesday night.

After Sunday’s short-handed loss to Boston, the Houston Rockets are hoping to be back to nearly full strength when they finish a three-game homestand on Wednesday night versus Portland.

Second-year forward Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remains out, but Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green are expected to return versus the Trail Blazers after missing the second half of Houston’s weekend back-to-back with minor injuries.

The Rockets (20-22) are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they’re entering a weaker stretch of their schedule. After ending this homestand versus the Trail Blazers (12-31), Houston has a road back-to-back on Friday and Saturday at Charlotte (10-31) and Brooklyn (17-25).

Thus, on paper, it’s an opportunity for Houston to make up ground and atone for some of those recent struggles. The Rockets will also have a rest advantage versus Portland, which will be on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Trail Blazers vs. Thunder: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

Trail Blazers vs. Thunder: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet.

The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.

The game starts at 7 p.m. CT and can be seen on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

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The Thunder (29-13) return home after a lengthy four-game road trip that saw them split it at two apiece. On Saturday, OKC picked up a crucial win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a matchup between the top two seeds of the Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers (12-30) continue to be one of the worst teams in the league. They were blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

The Thunder have won both matchups by a considerable margin this season. Last time out, OKC blew out Portland by 62 points — the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA history.

Trail Blazers vs. Thunder: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Tuesday

Trail Blazers vs. Thunder: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Tuesday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Thunder (29-13) return home after a lengthy four-game road trip that saw them split it at two apiece. On Saturday, OKC picked up a crucial win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a matchup between the top two seeds of the Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers (12-30) continue to be one of the worst teams in the league. They were blown out by the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

The Thunder have won both matchups by a considerable margin this season. Last time out, OKC blew out Portland by 62 points — the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA history.