Portland 103, New Orleans 96

I have to admit that lately, I have missed more complete games than is usual for me.  I'm not sure why this is.  Sometimes I'll totally forget that the Blazers are playing, and sometimes I'm so tired from the workday, that I just will hit the sack early.

Last night, Portland used it's 12th 4th quarter comeback of the season to beat the Hornets, who badly needed a break.  The Blazers' twelve 4th quarter comebacks are the most in the NBA this season.

Aldridge led all scorers, as is quickly becoming his habit, with 34 points.  Twelve of his points came in the Blazers' 4th quarter comeback.  Wesley Matthews put up 24 points of his own.  And maybe even more impressive, Batum was locked up with Chris Paul for most of the night and held one of the three best point guards in the NBA to 8 points and just 5 assists.

So now we have the much needed All-Star break, where the Blazers will have a chance to rest up and recharge the batteries.  And more likely than not, when we see the team get back on the court after the All-Star game, there may be a few new faces on the team.

Because the trade rumors are sure starting to pick up...see here and here.

In his game breakdown, Jason Quick of the Oregonian makes a couple notes about the team's two best defenders, Nic Batum and Wesley Matthews.

"He (Coach McMillan) told the youngsters that the season's home stretch is the time to showcase their skills.

Specifically, he told Batum that games like Wednesday's against New Orleans are why the franchise values him so: He is so versatile he can guard anyone from All-Star Paul to power forward David West, also a former All-Star.

And to Matthews, McMillan said the upcoming games against the Lakers, Denver and Atlanta are the reason the Blazers made such a big push for him in free agency last summer. They need Matthews to shut down, or at least slow down, the likes of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Joe Johnson."