Chauncey Billups, coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, would not attribute his team’s 114-98 defeat against Minnesota on a terrible fourth-quarter showing.
After shooting 13.6% from the field and 1 of 13 (7.7%) from three-point range, the Blazers had a 13-point lead at the half and an eight-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
However, Billups claimed that his team’s lackluster play in the first quarter set the tone for its dismal performance in the latter half.
Billups told reporters at the Target Center that the fourth quarter was terrible. Although it was a difficult quarter, I believe the opening half and first quarter were when we lost the game.
After a slow start and a nine-point deficit, the Blazers rallied to trail just 24–22 going into the second quarter.
Guard Anfernee Simons told reporters, “We knew we weren’t playing our best.”
According to Billups, his squad appeared out of rhythm the whole half and settled for mediocre attempts.
Knowing that this is a formidable defensive club, we made some really, very tough shots when we didn’t have to, Billups stated.
At Target Center on February 8, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nickeil Alexander-Walker #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves blocks a shot by Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter. The Trail Blazers lost against the Timberwolves 114-98. (Getty Images/David Berding photo)Getty Pictures
Despite leading 60-47 at the break, Billups was uncomfortable.
According to Billups, “the way the game was going, I felt like we were down 12-14 points.”
Billups claimed that even though Minnesota had trouble scoring before the fourth quarter, the Blazers’ defense was equally subpar.
Billups noted that his squad may have relaxed defensively because Minnesota was missing some important players. Despite being sidelined due to various injuries, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley Jr., and Julius Randle score an average of 54 points per game. With 27.2 points, Edwards is fifth in the NBA in terms of scoring. He scored 49 points against Houston on Thursday and 41 points against Chicago on Wednesday.
Billups stated, “I just don’t think we weren’t in sync like we have been,” which affected us on both sides of the ball.
Before Saturday, the Blazers had won 10 of their last 11 games, giving them the best defensive rating in the NBA. Late in the game, the Blazers’ poor shot selection and lack of defensive unity caught up with them.
According to Simons, that sort of carried over into the fourth quarter.
Portland had a 40.2% field goal percentage and a 20% (7 of 35) three-point shooting percentage that evening.
“It’s difficult to win any game in the league anymore when you’re 7 of 35,” Billups stated.
It was most likely the Blazers’ turn for an off-night shooting. Some opponents had sporadic, uncharacteristically bad shooting nights during their recent winning streak.
When it came down to it, the Blazers failed this time.
According to Simons, our defense was strong enough to keep us in the match. We simply were unable to hit shots.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)