The Portland Trail Blazers have been playing hard lately despite missing approximately 99% of their regular roster. Energy and guts brought them a win against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night and a closer-than-it-should-have-been loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Tonight the credit card bill came due, as the New York Knicks—scouted up and ready—wrung the verve out of the Blazers in 128-98 romp. Portland shot 44% from the floor but allowed New York 50%. Hitting only 11 three-pointers (and 7 free throws) in the game didn’t give them enough points to make up for it.