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The Blazers ruined by injuries

The Wizards know they have to win matches like these if they want to catch up with Atlanta

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As in life, luck has a great role in sports. The Portland Trail Blazers could really do with some luck lately. They played what could be described as the best basketball in the league for a good part of the season, and right when their starting center Robin Lopez came back, they lost another two starters. LaMarcus Aldridge got injured against the Kings, and will be out for 6-8 weeks because of his thumb injury.

- It's tough. We definitely didn't need this right now - Aldrirdge said. He's the best scorer (23.5) and rebound player (11.4) for the Portland team.

Without their biggest star, the Blazers didn't manage to easily pass through Phoenix on Wednesday, and the next evening, they lost to the Celtics at home, 90-89. Evan Turner decided the game when he scored a three pointer from the corner a second before the buzzer went off.

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- We blew it, we had it all, we should have won, and then we gave the win away - Wesley Matthews said. He scored 18 points (6/15).

Damian Lillard was the most efficient  with 21 points (8/23), six rebounds and seven assists, and he'll have to take more responsibility on in the following weeks since Nicolas Batum aggravated his right wrist injury against the Celtics. 

- Everybody knows what Nic can bring and what LA brings, so we have to figure out different ways of scoring and sometimes different ways of playing. The differences are fairly obvious - the coach Terry Stots said. His team lost five of the last six matches.

After they signed Pierce this summer, a veteran who was supposed to bring his experience and take them one step further than just joining the playoffs, the Washington Wizards can be thrilled with their effect half the season through. They're the second team of the West, six wins behind the Hawks, but it could have been only one win behind if the Wizards did better in their last duel against Oklahoma, when they were defeated after the overtime.

Even though they were 12 points ahead after the first half-time, 50-38, the Wizards lost it in the second part. Then, in the five minute overtime, they didn't know how to deal with Durant and Westbrook who scored 13 for their team.

- We have to be honest and admit we couldn't stop Durant and Westbrook tonight. They're really great players - Gortat said.

In a match that didn't look that nice, the Wizards allowed Oklahoma 39.2% field goal, and they only had 38% themselves. Coach Wittman cried for a few free throws more after that, even though his players had 26, and Nene had nine.

- When you score like that, you have to try and get more free throws. You have to try to penetrate through to the hoop more. I think that's something we've got to learn how to do - coach Wittman said. 

While Durant and Westbrook crushed them on one side, the Wizards gave an even offensive performance where all five starters had double-digit records. Nene was the best with 24 points (9/14), and Wall added 18 (6/17) with 13 assists and six rebounds. In the meantime, Wall learned he's going to be a starter at the All-Star match.

After a tight defeat against Oklahoma, the Wizards will start their Western tour of four consecutive away matches in Portland. Considering the numerous injuries for the Blazers, the Wizards have a nice shot at starting this tour the good way, after they came back home with a negative ratio (2-3) from their last away tour.

- We have to play this tour better than the last one. We have to finally make a series of good results if we want to catch up with Atlanta. Everybody in the team are aware of this tour's importance - Pierce announced.