If there is a tougher matchup at point guard in the NBA than Chris Paul, Nate McMillan wants to know about it.
"Chris is not just one of the best point guards in the league, he's one of the best players, period," said McMillan, whose Trail Blazers face Paul's New Orleans Hornets Friday night. McMillan was an assistant coach on the U.S. Olympic team that included Paul, winning the gold medal in Beijing.
Paul recently became the first player in NBA history to collect 20 points and 10 assists in each of the first six games of a season.
TRAIL BLAZERS 104, HEAT 96: Portland led most of the way and by as much as 12 in the first half, but Miami took a 75-73 lead into the fourth quarter. The Blazers, getting a lift from the reserve corps, made the big shots down the stretch to go to 2-0 on this four-game road trip.
"The bench set the tone for us," starting forward LaMarcus Aldridge said. "Sergio (Rodriguez) gave us great minutes. Rudy (Fernandez) made some big shots. Those guys carried us."
Portland shot well (.474), had a 40-35 rebound advantage and turned 19 Miami turnovers into 25 points. Now it's on to New Orleans for a chance to stay unbeaten on this trip.
"Coach (Nate McMillan) said, 'Don't be satisfied. Stay hungry,'" Aldridge said. "We're going to try to get another one."
