The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t expected to compete with nine players out of action and a couple more questionable as they stumble towards the end of their season. But not only did Portland compete against the relatively-healthy Minnesota Timberwolves today, they beat them 107-105.
The Blazers didn’t triumph as much as refuse to let the opponent get away. Then, as the game wound to a close, they exploited their marginal strengths of speed and verticality, simultaneously refusing to let Minnesota ride their own natural advantages of size and talent. Throw in a bit of disinterest (and perhaps presumption) on the opposition side and you have Portland’s first victory against a potential playoffs team since they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on February 13th, a month and a half ago.