Rip City fell in love with Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan Wednesday night at the Moda Center during a shocking 106-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In just his 13th career game and second start, Clingan put the NBA on notice as a new premier rim protector opponents must pass through when they play Portland. All it really took was one fourth quarter.
Clingan swung the game with five massive fourth-quarter blocks, part of a 17-point, 12-rebound, 8-block performance in 31 minutes. The first denial came at the 10:40 mark of the fourth with the score tied at 78-78.