Four nights ago, the Blazers got blindsided by a guy named Yogi.
Damian Lillard says, "It's not going down the same way."
Dirk Nowitzki says, "(This is) probably as tough a back to back as there is."
It all adds up to a no excuse night in Dallas for the Trail Blazers if they truly are intent or capable of turning this season into something that they'll look back on with anything other than befuddlement or disgust.
Chuck Cooperstein, the radio voice of the Mavericks, told us on Rip City Mornings that Dallas can overcome its flaws with a great shooting night and that Wesley Matthews is now looking like the player he was in Portland before the achilles injury.
But, as referenced by Nowitzki, how will he and the rest of the Mavericks respond after they were on the receiving end of a late night blowout in Denver?
In 8 instances of playing without a day of rest, Matthews is shooting 37% from the field and 32% from 3 this season.
Nowitzki has done it just 3 times this year, averaging 6 points per game. He's been held to single digit scoring nights in each of his last four games for the 1st time since his rookie year.
The NBA grind is never more evident than in February's slow slog to the All-Star break. These are the games that allow you to make up for lost ground.
They now know who Yogi Ferrell is. If he shoots 9 for 11 from 3 again tonight, we'll know who the Blazers are too.