Portland Trail Blazers Blog – Page 61 – NBA Blog

LaMarcus Aldridge scores 42 in win over Bulls

The AP reports:

LaMarcus Aldridge scored so easily against Chicago that he allowed himself a broad smile and a few high-fives from teammates before the game was even over.

“It was fun,” he said after putting up a career-high 42 points Monday night in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 109-103 victory over the Bulls.

So was there a little I-told-you-so feeling after not being selected for the All-Star game? No, Aldridge insisted.

“Me getting 42 tonight isn’t going to change their mind, so what is it going to do for me?” he said. “I thought tonight I just came out and got those easy dunks early and that was my big thing that got me going.”

Derrick Rose had 36 points for the Bulls, who lost their second straight.

Cavs lose record-setting 24th straight game

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now historically bad.

Saturday night, playing at home, the Cavs lost 111-105 to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was their 24th loss in a row, which sets the NBA all-time record for most consecutive losses over the course of a single season.

Down three after the first quarter, the Cavs stepped up and took a two-point lead at the half (57-55). But despite keeping it close most of the second half, they were unable to hang on for a victory.

In the win, Wesley Matthews shot 11-of-17 for 31 points. Nic Batum added 21 points. LaMarcus Aldridge on 19 shots had 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Blazers as a team shot 53.8% and nailed 12-of-19 from three-point range.

In the loss, the Cavs were led by Antawn Jamison, who on 16 shots had 17 points but just three rebounds. Ramon Sessions had 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Jamario Moon shot 5-of-6 off the bench for 14 points.

The Cavaliers are now 8-43, which is the worst record in the NBA.

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Blazers assign Armon Johnson to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie guard Armon Johnson to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

Johnson, 21, is averaging 3.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 8.1 minutes in 28 games this season with the Trail Blazers.

He becomes the 35th NBA player assigned to the D-League this season, and the second assigned by the Trail Blazers (Luke Babbitt, Dec. 8-18).

Portland selected Johnson in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Nevada.

Trail Blazers sign Chris Johnson to 10-day contract

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed center Chris Johnson of the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

The NBA granted Portland a hardship exception, allowing the team to sign Johnson (6-11, 210 lbs) and expand its roster to 16 players. He is the fourth call-up of the 2010-11 NBA Development League season.

Johnson, 25, is averaging 17.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 3.07 blocked shots in 27 games (all starts) with Dakota this season.

The LSU product is shooting 51.0% from the field and scored a career-high 34 points to go with 14 rebounds Jan. 22 vs. Rio Grande Valley.

Marcus Camby out three weeks after knee surgery

Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair a partial medial meniscus tear in his left knee this morning, it was announced by General Manager Rich Cho.

Dr. Don Roberts performed the surgery in Vancouver, Wash., and Camby is expected to miss approximately three weeks.

“We’re pleased with the outcome of today’s surgery, and look forward to seeing Marcus back on the court soon,” said Cho. “In the meantime, we have confidence in our frontcourt players to step into the void left by Marcus and help us continue to win games.”

In 39 games (all starts) this season, Camby has averaged 5.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.87 blocks in 28.7 minutes. He ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounds and 10th in blocked shots per game.

Camby is the only player in the Western Conference averaging at least 11.0 rebounds and 1.50 blocks. He has grabbed at least 10 boards in 26 games and led the team in rebounding a team-high 28 times this season.

InsideHoops.com editor says: It’s good news that Camby will only miss around three weeks. The injury was considered minor at the time of discovery so it isn’t surprising that he won’t be gone too long.

Marcus Camby will have surgery on left knee

Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby will undergo arthroscopic surgery later this week to repair a partial medial meniscus tear in his left knee, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

“The MRI taken earlier today did not show anything significant,” said Cho. “However, a more thorough review tonight from our team physician did reveal a partial tear.”

The exact date for Camby’s arthroscopy has yet to be determined. A timeline for his return will be set following surgery.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This is nuts. When will the Blazers knee injuries end? I’m not going to hurl unwarranted accusations at the training staff, but I’m certainly tempted to at least suggest that perhaps a change be considered. The good news is, Camby’s injury sounds minor, so maybe he’ll be out just a few weeks. I’m totally speculating there. Anyway, all the best to Blazers fans. And on the lighter side, I’ll suggest that perhaps from now on, Blazers practices should be held at local hospitals.

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Brandon Roy will have surgery on both knees

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy waits for a teammate's free throw against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at the Pepsi Center on April 1, 2010 in Denver. Portland lost to Denver 109-92. UPI/Gary C. Caskey Photo via Newscom

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday on both knees, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Don Roberts in Vancouver, Wash.

Roy, 26, has missed 18 games this season (three games from Nov. 16-20 and the last 15 games beginning on Dec. 17) with a sore left knee.

A three-time NBA All-Star and 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year, Roy has led the team in scoring in each of the last three seasons. He holds career averages of 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.08 steals in 297 career games (295 starts).

In 23 games (all starts) this season, Roy has averaged 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.13 steals in 35.3 minutes per game. He scored 20 points or more in nine contests and led the team in scoring eight times.

Blazers guard Elliot Williams out for season after surgery

Portland Trail Blazers guard Elliot Williams underwent successful surgery today to repair left patella instability.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles with assistance from Portland team physician Dr. Don Roberts.

The first-year player will miss the remainder of the 2010-11 season after previously undergoing a similar procedure on his right patella on Nov. 12, 2010.

Portland selected Williams with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He has not appeared in a game for the Trail Blazers this season.

Williams, 21, posted averages of 17.9 points (45.9% FG, 36.6% 3-PT, 75.8% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.32 steals in 34 games (all starts) as a sophomore at Memphis in 2009-10, earning All-Conference USA First Team and Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors.

The 6-5, 183-pound guard played his freshman year at Duke in 2008-09, where he averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 34 games before transferring to Memphis.

Brandon Roy sidelined indefinitely with sore knees

Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will be sidelined indefinitely with sore knees, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

“Unfortunately, Brandon Roy’s condition has not significantly improved and we’ve decided to hold him out indefinitely,” said Cho. “In the short term, we’re going to proceed with an extended period of rest. Beyond that, we’re looking at all available treatment options to help better determine a course of action.”

Roy, 26, has missed nine games this season (three games from Nov. 16-20 and the last six games beginning on Dec. 17) with a sore left knee.

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NBA fines George Karl and Andre Miller

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl and Portland Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller have both been fined for separate incidents, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Karl has been fined $25,000 for public comments about the officiating following the Nuggets’ 113-112 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 16.

Miller has also been fined $25,000 for throwing the ball in the stands following the Blazers’ 103-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 15.