Copyright The Oregonian
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — As the Portland Trail Blazers slowly creep out of the fog of last week’s earth-shattering news surrounding their embattled coach, reality beckons. There are flights to catch. There are game plans to scrutinize. There are games to be played. And the relentless NBA schedule won’t be doing them any favors. The Blazers learned that the hard way Sunday night when they fizzled away in the second half against the physical, veteran Los Angeles Clippers, who played better defense and hit more clutch shots down the stretch in a 114-107 win at Intuit Dome. It’s only been four days since the Blazers learned that Chauncey Billups had been arrested and indicted in a federal court on charges of money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. If Thursday was about shock and Friday about healing, the weekend was about starting to process the surreal reality of the moment. “We know it’s a tough situation,” Blazers veteran Jerami Grant said. “We’re feeling for him and his family. But the NBA moves fast, you’ve got to keep moving. I think it’s just part of the business.” And the business is going to be that especially tough thanks to a challenging early-season schedule. The Blazers complete their first back-to-back Monday at the Lakers, then end a three-game trip at Utah. From there, the slate is dotted with the likes of Denver, Oklahoma City, Miami, Orlando and Houston. The Blazers’ first 13 games of the season feature eleven games against teams that made the playoffs last season and eight matchups on the road. Interim coach Tiago Splitter has urged his players to do everything they can to block out the outside distractions, dismiss the off-the-court drama and focus on the one thing they can control: Basketball. But what happens when the basketball itself becomes an obstacle? If the Clippers offered a glimpse of what’s ahead, the basketball might not be a sanctuary. Kawhi Leonard (30 points, 10 rebounds) was a force, James Harden (19 points, 13 assists, six rebounds) was up to his old bag of tricks and Ivica Zubac (21 points, eight rebounds) owned the paint. All the while, the Clippers’ defense confounded Portland’s offense, holding the Blazers to 37% shooting, including 27% from three-point range, and blocking eight shots, as Zubac, Brook Lopez and old friend Nicolas Batum — who unleashed one of his patented chase-down blocks — rejected Shaedon Sharpe dunks, Toumani Camara layups and seemingly anyone else that came in the paint. The Clippers’ defense was especially rugged in the second half, when it limited the Blazers to 47 points and forced 10 turnovers. Portland couldn’t buy a shot when it mattered the most, which mirrored its biggest issue in the opening-night loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whether this is a byproduct of opposing defenses — or the Blazers’ inability to deliver in the clutch — is up for debate. But everyone, including Splitter, pointed to the experience in the other locker room as the difference Sunday night. “That’s a veteran team,” Grant said. “They know how to close games; they have players that can do it.” The shooting woes stretched up-and-down the Blazers’ 10-man rotation. But the man who had the best exhibition season and entered opening night emboldened by a 4-year, $90 million contract extension was at the root of the problem. Sharpe opened the game by making two of his first 10 shots and went on to make just 7 of 24, including 1 of 9 three-pointers. After winning the starting shooting guard job during the exhibition season, Sharpe has been mired in a funk since opening night, shooting just 29% from the field (17 for 59), including 21% from long-range (5 for 24). He slithered away from the postgame locker room without addressing his shooting woes, but Sharpe’s teammates said they aren’t concerned. “He’ll be all right,” Deni Avdija said. “It happens to every player. It’s part of growing pains. And he’s a very talented player. I’m not worried about him making shots. He’s going to make them.” Added Splitter: “I know he’s capable. This is not him, so I’m not too worried.” Latest Blazers news Trail Blazers fall to rugged Clippers in 1st road game of season: Rapid Reaction Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Game preview, odds, TV channel, how to watch Trail Blazers rout Warriors after unforgettable 48 hours: ‘Just happy to see a smile’ Extraordinary circumstances give Trail Blazers’ interim Tiago Splitter an incredible opportunity | Bill Oram Billups, Rozier gambling arrests leave NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ‘deeply disturbed’ But that meat-grinder of a schedule and navigating life after Billups? That’s another matter altogether. It stands to reason that it will take time for the players to fully process their new reality and come to grips with their unprecedented situation. But as they process, they will play. “We’ve got no other option, right?” Avdija said. “Nobody’s feeling sorry for us, the NBA has to continue. And that’s what we got to do. That’s our job.” The Blazers were inspiring a day after learning about Billups’ arrest, routing the Warriors and offering hope about what lies ahead. A suspect second half and a little shaky shooting isn’t going to dent their resolve. After all, the Lakers are looming Tuesday. “You just have to take it day-by-day,” Grant said. “This is my fifth team in 12 years, so I’ve been on a bunch of teams. I got traded in the middle of the season before. A lot of my friends have been traded, coaches have been fired, and things like that. It’s tough. Obviously, this is a different situation. I’m feeling for (Billups), but you just can’t stop. The NBA won’t allow that. So you’ve just got to keep moving forward.”
