Trail Blazers at Mavericks
THE STORY: Portland was out of sorts and out of the game late in the third quarter, trailing by 23 points. Cue the comeback, as the Trail Blazers used an incredible 18-point fourth-quarter effort by Brandon Roy to rally for an 84-82 victory, tying the Western Conference quarterfinal series at two games apiece. Dallas, criticized for its recent first-round failures, left Portland dazed and confused and will try to gather itself at home for Monday’s Game 5.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA-TV, KGW, KTXA
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Roy, a three-time All-Star who had surgery on both knee during the season, was mired in a slump and was considered an afterthought when this series started. Now he is Portland’s most heralded player after scoring 24 points, including a tying four-point play with 1:06 to go and a go-ahead bank shot with 39.2 seconds remaining. Said Roy: “It still doesn't feel real yet. … With everything I've been through this season, it all came into that moment there on the court, when guys were grabbing me and cheering me on. It was real special." The rally was the biggest in playoff history for the Trail Blazers, who are just the third team since the inception of the shot clock to win after trailing by at least 18 points entering the final quarter.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: The Mavericks tried to take the colossal collapse in stride, but there's a good chance the loss will stick with them. Dallas has now lost 18 of its last 20 playoff road games. The Mavericks were a pathetic 5 for 17 (29.4 percent) in the fourth quarter and went eight possessions without a basket. The Mavericks forced Portland into 14 consecutive missed shots in the third quarter and still lost. Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points and Shawn Marion had 12 points and 11 rebounds. “It’s a tough one to sit on,” Nowitzki said. “Frustration is definitely at a high level. But we got to win two of three now and we have two of three at home. This one’s over. We got to learn from it.”
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Roy was 8 of 10 in the fourth quarter and also had five assists and four rebounds in 24 minutes. Tyson Chandler again continues to struggle for Dallas. He had six points on 2-for-6 shooting and had five fouls.
KEY STATISTIC: Portland shot 28.6 percent (14 for 49) through three quarters but went 15 of 20 (.750) in the fourth quarter.
LAST WORD: “We know we have to earn wins and we have to earn a series win ultimately on the floor. We went through eight possessions without scoring. That fueled their game. It’s a game you shouldn’t lose. But sometimes these things happen and when they do, you have to stay the course and keep playing.” - Rick Carlisle on Saturday’s loss.