The Official Site of Brandon Roy

Fri, Mar 12th 2010, 09:47

Brandon drops 41 pts to end losing streak in Oakland

An incredible streak was done in by an incredible comeback Thursday by the Trail Blazers.

Led by a determined and playground-tough 41 points from Brandon Roy, and a whirlwind 17-3 run to close the game, the Blazers overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit and beat Golden State 110-105, ending a nine-game losing streak at Oracle Arena.

“It’s over,’’ a smiling coach Nate McMillan said, referring to the streak. “But I’m a lot happier about what we did: we followed the game plan and executed.’’

The Blazers wanted to take advantage of their size to score inside and get to the free throw line and they succeeded at both. Portland had 53 rebounds, including a season-high 22 offensive rebounds that led to 29 second-chance points. The Blazers also hit 31-of-37 free throws; Golden State made 19-of-21.

Golden State led 96-83 entering the fourth quarter and 102-93 with 6:43 left before its free-wheeling, high octane show ran out of gas. Golden State finished the game missing 8 of its final 9 shots and scored three points over its final 12 possessions.

“We went cold at the wrong time,’’ Warriors coach Don Nelson said. “What can I tell you?’’

The Blazers (39-28) moved a season-high 11 games over .500 and increased their lead to four games over Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot with 15 games remaining. Portland also moved to within a half-game of seventh-place San Antonio.

Roy’s fourth career game of 40 or more points kept the Blazers within striking distance for much of the game, but he didn’t score over the final 6:11 as Rudy Fernandez hit two big three-pointers and LaMarcus Aldridge broke out from a miserable game to put the finishing touches on the Blazers’ biggest fourth-quarter comeback of the season.

Entering the fourth quarter, Aldridge was 0-for-7 with three turnovers, but he hit 4-of-7 shots, 2-of-3 free throws and added an assist as the Blazers outscored Golden State 27-9.

“My mindset was trying to figure out a way to get going,’’ Aldridge said. “I had to figure out how to give us some help.’’

Aldridge, who finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds, also received a verbal assist from Roy at the start of the quarter.

“Keep shooting,’’ Roy and Aldridge said at the same time, reliving the moment the two walked onto the court for the beginning of the fourth.

“Yeah, he told me to keep shooting and luckily, I found my rhythm,’’ Aldridge said.

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